elaterium

/ ˌɛləˈtɪərɪəm /

noun

1. a greenish sediment prepared from the juice of the squirting cucumber, used as a purgative

Word History and Origins

Origin of elaterium¹

C16: from Latin, from Greek elatērion squirting cucumber, from elatērios purgative, from elaunein to drive

Example Sentences

The cases that most resemble cholera are the following: "Acute poisoning by corrosive sublimate, by arsenic, and by mineral acids, especially nitric acid; the effects which follow the eating or drinking of poisonous animal matters, such as tainted or simply unwholesome meat or fish, and milk which has undergone some injurious but yet unknown change, decomposing vegetables and some of the poisonous fungi, and the excessive action of certain drugs, for the most part belonging to the class of drastic purgatives," as elaterium and croton oil.

From Project Gutenberg

In my own practice the sulphate of magnesia, in large and repeated doses, has given the best results; elaterium, a powder of jalap, squill, and digitalis, and, in fact, any medicine which will give frequent and copious stools, are sure to afford marked relief to the more urgent symptoms, and in many cases will alone effect a cure.

From Project Gutenberg

It is due to the elaterium of spring.

From Project Gutenberg

It is less active only than croton oil and elaterium, and may be given in doses of half to two grains, combined with some sedative such as hyoscyamus, in apoplexy and in extreme cases of dropsy.

From Project Gutenberg

Explosive or Sling Fruits 1, Ecbalium Elaterium, flowers and fruit, one fruit detached from its stalk and with its seeds squirting out.

From Project Gutenberg