caltrop 
ground, the fourth pointed upward. Caltrops were 
scattered on the ground where an enemy's cavalry were 
to pass, to impede their progress by wounding the horses' 
feet. 
Also fulle of caltrappiftt hyt was sette, 
As meschys beth made wythinne a nette. 
Arcliceologia, XXI. 51. 
I think they ha' strew'd the highways with caltraps, I ; 
No horse dares pass 'em. 
Fletcher (and another), Love's Pilgrimage, i. 1. 
2. pi. Broken pottery or coarse pots of easily 
broken earthenware, or other things adapted 
to wound horses' feet, used in place of caltrops 
proper. Archceol. Jour., XI. 388. 3. In hot., 
a name of several plants. The name was applied 
first to the spiny heads or fruits of the plants, from their 
resemblance to the military instrument, and then to the 
plants themselves. The common caltrop or caltrops is 
Centaurea Calcitraim (the star-thistle), found in waste 
places in the south of Engljind. The heads are covered 
with long yellow spines. The name is also given to Tri- 
bulua terregtris, a plant of the Mediterranean i 
a spiny pentagonal fruit. The water-caltrop is Trapa na- 
Y 
of the Mediterranean region, with 
t. The water-caltrop is Trapa na- 
tans, the fruit of which has several horns formed of the 
indurated lobes of the calyx. 
caltropt, caltrapt, '. t. [ME. ealtrappyn; from 
the noun.] To entangle with caltrops. 
Caltrafipyn, haino. Prompt. Pare., p. 59. 
Caluella, . See Calluella. 
calumba (ka-lum'ba), n. [NL., said to be from 
kalumb, its native name in Mozambique.] A 
recent form of columoo, the common name for 
the root of Jateorhiza paltnata and other plants. 
See colitmbo. 
calumet (kal'u-met), n. [< F. calumet, prop, a 
dial, form (used in Canadian F. and thence 
introduced into E. and literary F.) parallel 
to chalumeaii, a reed-pipe, < OF. chalemel, < 
LL. calamcllits, a little reed, dim. of L. cala- 
mus, a reed: see calamus.] A kind of tobacco- 
pipe used by the Indians of North America. 
Its bowl is 
.i rflm usually of soft 
red soap- 
stone, and the 
tube a long 
reed orna- 
mented with 
feathers. The 
calumet is 
used as a sym- 
bol or an instrument for declaring 
peace or war. To accept the calumet 
is to agree to the terms of peace ; to 
refuse it is to reject them. The calu- 
met of peace is used to seal or 
ratify contracts and alliances, in the 
friendly reception of strangers, and 
as a safeguard in peaceful traveling. The calumet of war, 
differently made, is used in the proclamation of war. The 
reed or stem is the important part of the pipe, and is held 
to have a sacred signification. 
When passed the sacred calumet 
From lip to lip with fire-draught wet. 
Whittier, Truce of Piscataqua. 
Calumet eagle, any eagle having black and white tail- 
feathers suitable for decorating the calumet of the In- 
dians. Both the golden eagle (Aguila chrysaetus) and the 
bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) furnish the required 
feathers at certain stages of their plumage. 
calumner (ka-lum'ner), ?(. [< "column, v. (< F. 
calomnier, < L. calumniari), calumniate, + -er 1 .} 
A calumniator. [Hare.] 
To the calumners of Lysimachiis he promiseth lie will not 
recriminate. Christian Religion's Appeal, ii. 38 (Ord MS.). 
calumniate (ka-lum'ni-at), v. t. ; pret. and pp. 
calumniated, ppr. calumniating. [< L. calumni- 
atus, pp. of calumniari (> It. calunniare, calon- 
niare, calognare = Sp. Pg. calumniar = F. ca- 
lomnier, OF. chalonger, clialenger, > E. challenge, 
q. v.), slander, < calumnia, slander: see calum- 
ny, and cf. challenge, v.] To utter calumny 
regarding; charge falsely and knowingly with 
some crime or offense, or something disrepu- 
table; slander. 
Calumniated by apostates. Macaulay. 
I pray'd them, being so calumniated, 
They would commission one of weight and worth 
To judge between my slander'd self and me. 
Tennyson, Columbus. 
= Syn. Defame, Calumniate, etc. See averse. 
calumniation (ka-lum-ni-a'shon), n. [< L. as 
if *calumnialio(n-), < calumniari : see calumni- 
ate."] The act of calumniating; calumny. 
The slander and calumniation of her principal counsel- 
lors agreed best with the humours of some malecontente 
within the realm. Bacon, Obs. on a Libel. 
These descriptions ... are delivered dispassionately 
and not thrown out in the heat of controversy and calnm- 
T. Warton, Milton's Silvarum Liber. 
calumniator (ka-lum'ni-a-tor), n. [L., < ca- 
lumniari : see calumniate.] 'One who calumni- 
ates or slanders; one who falsely and knowing- 
ly accuses another of anything of a disgraceful 
character, or maliciously propagates false ac- 
cusations or reports. 
772 
The devil, the father of all calumniators and liars. 
Aup. Ussher, Ans. to a Jesuit, p. 08. 
The calumniators of Epicurus's philosophy. 
Cowley, Liberty. 
A wicked thing is a calumniator. Brougham. 
= Syn. Slanderer, defamer, backbiter, libeler, detractor, 
traducer. 
calumniatory (ka-lum'ni-a-to-ri), a. [< L. as 
if'calumniatoriiis, < calumniator.} Slanderous: 
as, "calumniatory information," Bp. Montagu, 
Appeal to Csesar, p. 17. 
calumnious (ka-lum'ni-us), a. [< L. calumni- 
vsus, < calumnia : see calumny.'] Using calum- 
ny; containing or implying calumny; injuri- 
ous to reputation ; slanderous: as, "calumnious 
knave," Shale., All's Well, i. 3 ; "calumnious mis- 
statements," Motley. 
Virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes. 
Shak., Hamlet, i. 3. 
The weak stroke of their calumnious tongues. 
B. Joneon, Cynthia's Revels, iii. 2. 
calumniously (ka-lum'ni-us-li), adv. In a ca- 
lumnious manner; slanderously. 
calumniousness (ka-lum'ni-us-nes), n. The 
quality of being calumnious ; slanderousness ; 
defamatory quality. 
The bitterness of my stile was plainness, not calumnious- 
ness. Bp. Morton, Discharge of Imput. (ed. 1633), p. 227. 
calumnize (kal'um-niz), v. t. ; pret. and pp. cal- 
umnized, ppr. calumnizing. [< calumny + -ize.} 
To calumniate. Danes. [Bare.] 
calumny (kal'um-ni), n.; pi. calumnies (-niz). 
[< F. calomnie (OF. chalonge, chalenge, > ME. 
chalenge: see challenge, n., which is a doublet 
of calumny) = Pr. calonja, calumpnia = Sp. Pg. 
calumnia = It. calonnia, calunnia, calogna, < 
L. calumnia, OL. kalumnia, trickery, artifice, a 
false accusation, < calvi, calcere, deceive, in- 
trigue against.] False accusation of crime, 
misconduct, or defect, knowingly or malicious- 
ly made or reported, to the injury of another; 
untruth maliciously spoken, to the detraction 
of another ; a defamatory report ; slander. 
Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt 
not escape calumny. Shak., Hamlet, iii. 1. 
The last days of Tillotson were altogether embittered by 
the stream of calumny, invective, and lampoons of which 
he was the object. Lecky, Eng. in 18th Cent., i. 
= Syn. Lying, falsehood, libel, aspersion, detraction, back- 
biting, defamation, evil-speaking. 
Calurus (ka-lu'rus), n. [NL., < Gr. 2A<5f, beau- 
tiful, + oiipa, tail.] A genus of trogons, the 
paradise trogous, the most magnificent birds 
of the family Trogonida;. They are rich-green and 
carmine in color, with the upper tail-coverts projecting 
like delicate sprays a foot or two beyond the tail. Also 
called Pharomacrus or Pharomachnis. 
calva (kal'va), n.; pi. calvie (-ve). [NL., fern, 
of L. calvus, bald: see callow 1 .'} In entom. : (a) 
The upper part of the epicranium of an insect, 
including the front and vertex. (6) With some 
writers, the whole head-case or cranium. 
calvairt (kal'var), . [ME., < L. calvaria, the 
skull: see Calvary. } A skull. 
An other thlnge that lightly may be founde, 
The calvair of an horsed asse or mare, 
Sette that uppe. 
Palladius, Husbondrie (E. E. T. 3.), p. 36. 
calvaria (kal-va'ri-a), n. ; pi. calraria; (-e). [L., 
the skull : see Calvary.'} The calvarium (which 
see). 
calvarian (kal-va'ri-an), a. [< calvarium + 
-an.} Pertaining to the calvarium Calvarian 
hook, a stout hook used in removing the calvarium in au- 
topsies. 
calvarium (kal-va'ri-um), n. ; pi. calvaria (-a). 
[NL., neut., < L. calvaria, fern.: see Calvary.} 
That part of the cranium which is above the 
orbits, temples, and occipital protuberance; 
the skull-cap. See cut under cranium. 
Calvary (kal'va-ri), n. [< L. calvaria, a skull 
(used in the Vulgate to translate the Heb. Gol- 
gotha), < calva, the scalp without hair, fern, of 
calvus, bald : see callow 1 .} 1 . A place of skulls ; 
Golgotha ; specifically, the place where Christ 
was crucified. It was probably a small hill in the 
vicinity of ancient Jerusalem; its assumed site, covered 
by the church of the Holy Sepulcher within the modern 
city, is disputed. 
2. [?. c.] In Roman Catholic countries, a rep- 
resentation of the passion of Christ, often of 
life-size, erected sometimes on a hill near a 
city, sometimes near a church or in a church- 
yard, and sometimes in a chapel. The various 
scenes of Christ's sufferings and crucifixion are represented 
by statuary and carving often highly colored. Stone cal- 
varies are a special feature of medieval and Renaissance 
art in Brittany, and calvaries in wax, placed in churches, 
are much in vogue in Italy and elsewhere. 
3. [/. c.] A rocky mound or hill on which three 
crosses are erected: an adjunct to some reli- 
Calvinism 
gious houses Calvary cross, or cross of Calvary. 
Bee <;</. Congregation of Our Lady of Calvary. 
See continuation. 
calve (kav), v. ; pret. and pp. calved, ppr. calv- 
ing. [< ME. calvcn, < AS. cealfian (= D. kali-en 
= East Fries, kalfen = MHG. G. kalben (dial. 
kalbeln) = Icel. kelfa = Norw. kalva, also kjelva, 
kjaii'e = Sw. kalfva = Dan. kalve, also k<ehe, 
calve), < eealf, calf: see calf 1 . In the derived 
senses 2 and 3, cf. Dan. kalve (in sense 2) = 
Flem. in-kalren = East Fries, in-kalfen, cave 
in; in E. now cave: see cave 1 , v.} 1. intrans. 
1. To bring forth a calf or calves: sometimes 
used contemptuously of human beings, and by 
Milton of the earth at the creation of cattle, 
etc. 
Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock 
bring forth ? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve } 
Job xxxix. 1. 
The grassy clods now calved. Milton, P. L., vii. 463. 
2. To become separated from or lose a portion 
of itself: said of a glacier when icebergs are 
broken off from it. 3f. To become detached 
and fall inward, as earth or rock from the walls 
of a cutting : with in. Now cave in. 
The rock calved in upon him. 
Quoted in N. and Q., 4th ser., XII. 166. 
II. trans. To give birth to, as a cow to a 
calf ; bring forth. 
Not Romans, . . . 
Though calv'd i' the porch o' the Capitol. 
Shak., Cor., HI. 1. 
calver (kal'ver), a. [< ME. calvur, calwar, 
fresh (applied to fish) ; appar. a corruption of 
caller, caUour, fresh : see caller'*.} Fresh ; newly 
caught, as fish : applied particularly to fish, and 
especially to salmon, dressed as soon as caught. 
The term was also applied to fish dressed in a particular 
way, as with oil, vinegar, and spices. See miter, o. [Now 
only prov. Eng.] 
Caiiwrassamoon, orothyrfysshe. Prompt. Parv., p. 59. 
calvert (kal'ver), n. The flaky or fat flesh of 
calver fish. 
Calver of samon, escume de saumon. Palsgrave. 
calver (kal'ver), v. t. [Orig. only in p. a. 
calvered, for calver: see calver, a.} If. In cook- 
ery, to prepare (fish) in a certain way, appa- 
rently by a kind of pickling and spicing. 
My foot-boy shall eat pheasants, calver'd salmons, knots, 
godwits, lampreys. Ji. Jonson, Alchemist, ii. 1. 
Great lords sometimes 
For change leave calver'd salmon, and eat sprats. 
Masxinger, The Guardian, iv. 2. 
2. To crimp (fish). Nares. 
calves, w. Plural of calf 1 , calf%. 
calves -snout (kavz ' snout), re. [For calfs- 
snout.} A name of the snapdragon, Antirrhi- 
num majus, from a fancied resemblance in the 
seed-vessel to a calf s head. 
calves'-tongue (kavz'tung), . An earlv me- 
dieval molding consisting of a series of pointed, 
tongue - shaped 
elements, all 
pointing in the 
same direction, 
usually down- 
ward or inward. 
It occurs as a 
modification of 
a label or roll 
molding sur- 
rounding an 
arched door or 
window. 
calville (kal'- 
vil), n. [F., ap- 
par. adapted (as 
if < It. carovelle 
(Flbrio), caravella, a sort of pear) < L. calvus. 
bald, with a smooth skin.] A sort of apple. 
calving (ka'ving), n. [< ME. calvyng ; verbal 
n. of cah-e, v.} 1. The act of bringing forth a 
calf : said of cows, whales, and seals. 
The Russians providently prohibit bay-whaling, a prac- 
tice destructive to the cow whales about the time (if 
'"'"':'. E. Forbes. 
2. The separation of masses of ice from a gla- 
cier from time to time as it extends itself into 
the sea, giving rise to icebergs. 
Calvinian (kal-vin'i-an), a. [See Ctilrmism.} 
Pertaining or relating to Calviii; Calvinistic. 
Calvinism (kal'vin-izm), H. [= F. Culriiiimiie, < 
I'nlriii, equiv. to F. Chaurin (see chinniniaiii) 
and derived from L. Calviniis. a Roman cog- 
nomen, lit. 'bald,' < calvus, bald: see callow 1 .} 
The theological tenets or doctrines of John Cal- 
vin, a French Protestant theologian (1509-64). 
The peculiar characteristics of his system, as derived from 
tongue Molding, Kenili 
Church, England. 
