κάλαμος

English (LSJ)

[κᾰ], ὁ,

   A reed, used for thatching or wattling, Hdt.5.101, al., Th.2.76; for wreaths, κ. λευκός Ar.Nu.1006 (anap.); for bedding, Plu.Lyc.16; for fuel, PCair.Zen.85 (iii B.C.); various species, κ. εὐώδης, ἀρωματικός, sweet flag, Acorus Calamus, Thphr.HP4.8.4, 9.7.1, Od.33, Dsc.1.18; κ. αὐλητικός pole-reed, Arundo Donax, Thphr.HP4.11.1, 9; κ. εἰλετίας marram, Ammophila arundinacea, ib.13; κ. ἐπίγειος bush-grass, Calamagrostis epigeios, ibid.; κ. Ἰνδικός bamboo, Bambusa arundinacea, ibid., Dsc.5.92, PLond.2.191.11 (ii A.D.), Gp.2.6.23, cf. Hdt.3.98; κ. Ἰνδικὸς ὁ ἄρρην male bamboo, Dendrocalamus strictus, Thphr.HP4.11.13; κ. κύπριος, = δόναξ, Asclep. ap.Gal.12.414; κ. πλόκιμος spear-grass, Phragmites communis, Thphr.HP4.11.1; κ. Χαρακίας, Arundo Donax, ibid.    II applied to various uses,    1 reed-pipe, flute, Pi.O.10(11).84, N.5.38, E. El.702 (lyr.), IT1126 (lyr.).    2 fishing-rod, Pl.Com.11, Theoc. 21.43, Luc.DMort.27.9; κ. ἁλιευτικός Arist.PA693a23.    3 limed twig used by fowlers, BionFr.10.5, Aesop.171, 296.    4 shaft of an arrow, Ptol.Alm.7.5; made of κ. τοξικός, or Κρητικός, Thphr.HP4.11.11.    5 reed-pen, LXXPs.44(45).1, 3 Ep.Jo.13, Plu.Dem.29, Luc. Hist.Conscr.38; κάλαμοι γραφικοί PGrenf.2.38.7 (i B.C.); κ. γραφεῖς Poll.10.61.    6 measuring-rod, Apoc.11.1, al.: hence, a definite measure, IG9(1).61.50 (Daulis, ii A.D.); = 5 πήχεις, Hero *Geom.4.11; = 6 2/3 πήχεις, ib.23.13.    7 Medic., tube for insufflation, Aret. CA1.9, Asclep. ap. Gal.12.985; for fumigation, Dsc.Eup.1.56; for extraction, Cels.7.5.2; also, splint, Pall.in Hp.Fract.12.282 C.    8 ornament of female dress, AP6.292 (Hedyl.).    9 stake to which vines were tied, PFlor.369.4 (ii A.D.), Jul.Or.3.125b, etc.    III collectively,    1 reed, i.e. reeds, Arist.Mete.359b1, POxy.742.2 (i B.C.), etc.: in pl., reed-beds, Plb.3.71.4.    2 of plants, which are neither shrub nor bush (ὕλη), nor tree (δένδρον), X.An.1.5.1.    3 mat of reeds, Pl.R.372b; roof of reeds (Coan), Hsch.    IV = καλάμη, stalk of wheat, X.Oec.18.2.    V ὁ κ. τοῦ σκέλους the shinbone, Sch.Luc.VH1.23.    VI ticket for obtaining corn-rations, = tessera frumentaria, Gloss. (Cf. Lat. culmus, OHG. halm, etc.)