colchicum
[kol-chi-kuh m, kol-ki-]
- any Old World plant of the genus Colchicum, of the lily family, especially the autumn crocus, C. autumnale.
- the dried seeds or corms of this plant.
- Pharmacology. a medicine or drug prepared from them, used in medicine chiefly in the treatment of gout.
Origin of colchicum
1590–1600; < New Latin, Latin < Greek kolchikón meadow saffron, noun use of neuter of Kolchikós of Colchis, apparently by association with Medea, the plant being considered poisonous
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for colchicum
Historical Examples
It might therefore be supposed that Colchicum too acted as a Cholagogue.
The Action of Medicines in the SystemFrederick William Headland
Some cause violent pain, as colchicum, hellebore, and aconite.
The Swiss Family RobinsonJohann David Wyss
Colchicum says he has had him to dine, and thinks him a gentlemanlike lad.
The History of PendennisWilliam Makepeace Thackeray
A peculiar principle discovered by Gieger and Hesse in the seeds of the Colchicum autumnale or common meadow saffron.
A mixture of iodide of potassium, sulphate of magnesia, and wine of colchicum, disguised with an aromatic tincture.
colchicum
- any Eurasian liliaceous plant of the genus Colchicum, such as the autumn crocus
- the dried seeds or corms of the autumn crocus: a source of colchicine
Word Origin
C16: from Latin, from Greek kolkhikon, from kolkhikos of Colchis
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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