καλάμη
Alt. κα^^λάμη, ἡ,
Etym. v. κάλαμος
1. "the stalk or straw of corn": metaph., αἶψα φυλόπιδος πέλεται κόρος, ἧς τε πλείστην μὲν καλάμην χθονὶ χαλκὸς ἔχευεν, ἄμητος δ᾽ ὀλίγιστος men are soon satiated with battle, where the sword throws much "straw" on the ground, and there is little harvest, i. e. much "slaughter" and little profit, Il.; κ. πυρῶν wheat"-straw", Hdt.
2. "the stalk without the ear, stubble;" metaph. of an old man, καλάμην γέ σ᾽ ὀΐομαι εἰσορόωντα γιγνώσκειν thou mayst still, I ween, perceive "the stubble" (i. e. "the residue)" of former strength, Od.; ἀπὸ τῆς καλάμης τεκμαίρεσθαι to judge from "the remains", Luc.