calamus
[ˈka.ɫa.mʊs]masculine
The Latin word for pen is calamus.
calamus refers to a writing tool. In ecclesiastical Latin, this term is frequently used to mean pen.
Meaning: writing tool (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word calamus literally means a reed or a hollow stem, which describes the material used to manufacture the tool.
Which one should you use?
While calamus refers to a reed pen, the word stilus is used for a stylus, which is a metal or wooden writing implement intended for engraving on wax tablets.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular masculine form is calamus, and the plural form is calami.
Did you know?
- The stilus used for wax tablets had a flat end designed to erase mistakes. The calamus had no such feature, making every ink stroke permanent and mistakes costly.
- The term calamus was so standard for a reed pen that it became the basis for the word 'calamus' in English, used specifically in botany and pharmacology.
- The word calamus is borrowed directly from the Ancient Greek word kálamos. This reflects how the Greeks influenced the early writing technology of the Roman world.
Examples in context
- Qui calamus tuus est?Which is your pen?This sentence is useful for asking which pen belongs to someone using calamus.Tatoeba #1345189 by alexmarcelo, translation #70860 by CK
- Hic calamus eius est.This is her pen.This sentence is useful for identifying a pen belonging to someone else using calamus.Tatoeba #4938359 by alexmarcelo, translation #55425 by CH
- Scribe librum calamo.Write the book with a pen.
- Graphium meum non invenio.I can't find my pen.
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Claudia and Quintus are sitting in a library.
- ClaudiaCalamusne tuus est hic?Is your pen here?
- QuintusNon, calamus meus in mensa est.No, my pen is on the table.
- ClaudiaEcce, calamus tuus sub libro est.Look, your pen is under the book.
- QuintusGratias tibi ago, Claudia.Thank you, Claudia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pen” translations and entries calamus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calamus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
