1. Plural of calamus; plural of a type of aromatic plant or reed used in perfumes and traditional medicine.
Usage: botanical term; often used in historical or traditional contexts
2. Plural of calamus; plural of a writing instrument made from a reed or cane, used historically for writing.
Usage: historical; archaic

Examples

• The ancient scribes used calami to write on papyrus.
• Calami were harvested from the marshes for use in perfumery.
• Medieval manuscripts were often written with calami made from river reeds.
• The botanist studied various species of calami in their natural habitat.
• Calami have been valued for centuries in traditional Asian medicine.