calamite
(ˈkæləmaɪt)
[ad. mod.L. generic name calamītes, f. L. calamus reed; see -ite.]
1. Palæont. A fossil plant, of a genus or order abundant in the Coal Measures, of which the stems are found in jointed fragments, ribbed and furrowed. They are generally considered to have been allied to the existing Equisetaceæ or Mare's-tails, but their stem was furnished with wood and bark.
| 1837 Penny Cycl. VII. 293/2 Calamites have been found with a diameter of fourteen inches. 1842 H. Miller O.R. Sandst. vii. (ed. 2) 175 Some plant resembling a calamite of the Coal Measures. 1873 Dawson Earth & Man v. 104 Calamites, gigantic and overgrown mares'-tails. |
2. Min. A variety of tremolite (white hornblende) occurring in crystals sometimes reed-like.
| 1882 Watts Dict. Chem. III. 169 Calamite is an asparagus-green variety of tremolite, found..in Sweden. |
† 3. ‘A name given by some to the osteocolla..others have called some of the fossile coralloides by this name.’ Obs.
| 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. |