from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Calamus \Cal"a*mus\, n.; pl. {Calami}. [L., a reed. See {Halm}.]
1. (Bot.) The indian cane, a plant of the Palm family. It
furnishes the common rattan. See {Rattan}, and {Dragon's
blood}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) A species of {Acorus} ({Acorus calamus}), commonly
called {calamus}, or {sweet flag}. The root has a pungent,
aromatic taste, and is used in medicine as a stomachic;
the leaves have an aromatic odor, and were formerly used
instead of rushes to strew on floors.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) The horny basal portion of a feather; the barrel
or quill.
[1913 Webster]