LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · neutersecond declension

calamistrum

calamistrum n (genitive calamistrī)
Classical[ka.ɫaˈmɪs.trũː]Ecclesiastical[ka.laˈmis.trum]

Meaning

  1. neutercurling iron, curling tongs
  2. figurativelyneuteran oratorical ornament too artificial, excessive or elaborate

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativecalamistrumcalamistra
genitivecalamistrīcalamistrōrum
dativecalamistrōcalamistrīs
accusativecalamistrumcalamistra
ablativecalamistrōcalamistrīs
vocativecalamistrumcalamistra

Origins

Apparently from Ancient Greek καλάμιστρος (kalámistros, “stipula”), from κάλαμος (kálamos, “reed”), referring to the tubular shape of the heated curling irons. Perhaps influenced by Latin instrumental suffix -trum. For sense two, compare cincinnus.

Descendants
  • Portuguesecalamistro

In English words that came into English from calamistrum

  • calamistrumcalamistrum

In the Academy Smith's classical dictionaries

AntiquitiesCalamistrumCalamistrum (pl. calamistri: calamistra, Varro ap. Charis. p. 61), a curling-iron, so called from its resemblance to a reed. Its use among the Greeks …

Quick answers

What does calamistrum mean in Latin?
calamistrum, a noun, means “curling iron, curling tongs; an oratorical ornament too artificial, excessive or elaborate”.
What is the genitive of calamistrum?
The genitive singular is calamistrī. calamistrum is neuter, second declension.
How do you pronounce calamistrum?
In classical Latin, [ka.ɫaˈmɪs.trũː]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ka.laˈmis.trum].