Dictionary.com

colicroot

[ kol-ik-root, -root ]
/ ˈkɒl ɪkˌrut, -ˌrʊt /

noun

either of two North American plants, Aletris farinosa or A. aurea, of the lily family, having small yellow or white flowers in a spikelike cluster and a root reputed to relieve colic.
any of certain other plants having roots reputed to cure colic.
the blazing star, Liatris squarrosa.

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ IF A DAZZLING VOCABULARY IS YOUR DESIDERATUM!

Have the Words of the Day from October 19–25, 2020, made an indelible mark on your memory? Take the quiz to find out!
Question 1 of 7
What does “clement” mean?
having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision.
mild or merciful in disposition or character; lenient; compassionate.
favorite; cherished.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of colicroot

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; colic + root1

Words nearby colicroot

colic, colic artery, colicin, colicinogen, colicky, colicroot, colicweed, coliform, coliform bacillus, coliform bacteria, Coligny
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for colicroot

British Dictionary definitions for colicroot

colicroot
/ (ˈkɒlɪkˌruːt) /

noun

either of two North American liliaceous plants, Aletris farinosa or A. aurea, having tubular white or yellow flowers and a bitter root formerly used to relieve colic
any of various other plants formerly used to relieve colic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012