καλάμη κᾰλάμη (λᾰ), ἡ, v. κάλαμος the stalk or straw of corn: metaph., αἶψα φυλόπιδος πέλεται κόρος, ἧς τε πλείστην μὲν καλάμην χθονὶ χαλκὸς ἔχευεν, ἄμητος δʼ 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. the stalk without the ear, stubble; metaph. of an old man, καλάμην γέ σʼ 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.