in botany, the name of a species of calyx, consisting of valves, and hanging down in different directions from the caulix. Common oats afford a good example of the amentum.

in Roman antiquity, a thong tied about the middle of a javelin or dart, and fastened to the forefinger, in order to recover the weapon as soon as it was discharged. The ancients made great use of the amentum, thinking it helped to enforce the blow. It also denotes a latchet that bound their sandals.