The word calamari was borrowed into English from 17th-century Italian, where it functioned as the plural of "calamaro" or "calamaio." The Italian word, in turn, comes from the Medieval Latin noun calamarium, meaning "ink pot or "pen case," and can be ultimately traced back to Latin calamus, meaning "reed pen." The transition from pens and ink to squid is not surprising, given the inky substance that a squid ejects and the long tapered shape of the squid's body. English speakers have also adopted "calamus" itself as a word referring to both a reed pen and to a number of plants.
Examples of calamari in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebThe plancha-style calamari (cut in the shape of a flower) and the vegetarian paella were both delicately seasoned and beautifully arranged.—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024 However, dishes like salt-and-pepper calamari and laksa — a Malaysian spicy coconut noodle soup — are commonly found in pubs throughout the country.—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 16 Jan. 2024 The seafood and saffron plate ($38) includes salmon, jumbo shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, calamari and vegetables sauteed in a tomato saffron broth.—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024 Folks who crave the menu at the previous Quinn’s need not worry, as the kitchen is making clam chowder from scratch and frying fish and chips, popcorn shrimp, chicken wings and salt-and-pepper calamari.—John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024 Given these conditions, China has struggled in recent years with strikes, mutinies and violence on its squid ships, which feed the world’s growing demand for calamari.—Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023 Highlights include prime steakhouse meatballs, Wagyu beef tartare, Rhode Island calamari and shrimp, heirloom tomato salad, Maine lobster cocktail, Hawaiian poke, NY strip steak, bone-in ribeye and fresh seafood.—Jessica Swannie, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 And Lorenzo, who is, uh, the son of the owner, goes out every morning at 4:00 AM to catch calamari.—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2024 His salt-and-pepper take is inspired by Chinese calamari, and the lemon myrtle salt is a traditional Australian spice.—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 16 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calamari.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Italian, plural of calamaro, calamaio, from Medieval Latin calamarium ink pot, from Latin calamus; from the inky substance the squid secretes
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