Part 1543

<h1>Calamist</h1> <Xpage=202>

<hw>Cal"a*mist</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>calamus</ets> a reed.]</ety> <def>One who plays upon a reed or pipe.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Blount.</i>

<h1>Calamistrate</h1> <Xpage=202>

<hw>Cal`a*mis"trate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>calamistratus</ets>, curied with the curling iron, fr. <ets>calamistrum</ets> curling iron, fr. <ets>calamus</ets> a reed.]</ety> <def>To curl or friz, as the hair.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Cotgrave.</i>

<h1>Calamistration</h1> <Xpage=202>

<hw>Cal`amis*tra"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The act or process of curling the hair.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>burton.</i>

<h1>Calamistrum</h1> <Xpage=202>

<hw>Cal`a*mis"trum</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L., a curling iron.]</ety> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>A comblike structure on the metatarsus of the hind legs of certain spiders (<spn>Ciniflonid\'91</spn>), used to curl certain fibers in the construction of their webs.</def>

<h1>Calamite</h1> <Xpage=202>

<hw>Cal"a*mite</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>calamus</ets> a reed: cf. F. <ets>calamite</ets>.]</ety> <fld>(Paleon.)</fld> <def>A fossil plant of the coal formation, having the general form of plants of the modern <i>Equiseta</i> (the Horsetail or Scouring Rush family) but sometimes attaining the height of trees, and having the stem more or less woody within. See <er>Acrogen</er>, and <er>Asterophyllite</er>.</def>

<h1>Calamitous</h1> <Xpage=202>

<hw>Ca*lam"i*tous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>Calamitosus</ets>; cf. F. <ets>calamiteux</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Suffering calamity; wretched; miserable.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Ten thousands of <b>calamitous</b> persons. <i>South.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Producing, or attended with distress and misery; making wretched; wretched; unhappy.</def> "This sad and <i>calamitous</i> condition." <i>South</i>. "A <i>calamitous</i> prison" <i>Milton</i>.

<syn>Syn. -- Miserable; deplorable; distressful; afflictive; grievous; baleful; disastrous; adverse; unhappy; severe; sad; unfortunate.</syn>

-- <wordforms><wf>Ca*lam"i*tous*ly</wf>, <tt>adv.</tt> -- <wf>Ca*lam"i*tous*ness</wf>, <tt>n.</tt></wordforms>

<h1>Calamity</h1> <Xpage=202>

<hw>Ca*lam"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt> <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Calamities</plw> <tt>(#)</tt>.</plu> <ety>[L. <ets>calamitas</ets>, akin to in-<ets>columis</ets> unharmed: cf. F. <ets>calamit\'82</ets>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Any great misfortune or cause of misery; -- generally applied to events or disasters which produce extensive evil, either to communities or individuals.</def>

<note>The word <i>calamity</i> was first derived from <i>calamus</i> when the corn could not get out of the stalk.</note>

<i>Bacon.</i>

<blockquote>Strokes of <b>calamity</b> that scathe and scorch the soul. <i>W. Irving.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A state or time of distress or misfortune; misery.</def>

<blockquote>The deliberations of <b>calamity</b> are rarely wise. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Where'er I came I brought <b>calamity</b>. <i>Tennyson.</i></blockquote>