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.
