colchicum

American  

[kol-chi-kuhm, kol-ki-] / ˈkɒl tʃɪ kəm, ˈkɒl kɪ- /

noun

1. any Old World plant of the genus Colchicum, of the lily family, especially the autumn crocus, C. autumnale.

2. the dried seeds or corms of this plant.

3. Pharmacology. a medicine or drug prepared from them, used in medicine chiefly in the treatment of gout.

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colchicum British  

/ ˈkɒltʃɪkəm, ˈkɒlkɪ- /

noun

1. any Eurasian liliaceous plant of the genus Colchicum, such as the autumn crocus

2. the dried seeds or corms of the autumn crocus: a source of colchicine

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

colchicum

On the return of the men, who had of course seen nothing, we set off for home, climbing down the edge of the ridge where yellow colchicum starred the turf.

From A Holiday in the Happy Valley with Pen and Pencil by Swinburne, T. R.

Griffenbottom, who went through his canvass under circumstances of coming gout and colchicum with a courage and pertinacity that were heroic, was painfully cross to every one who was not a voter.

From Ralph the Heir by Trollope, Anthony

He is said to have used colchicum for gout.

From Outlines of Greek and Roman Medicine by Elliott, James Sands

Some cases, like rheumatism, are benefited by 1-scruple doses of powdered colchicum and 2-dram doses of salicylate of soda twice a day.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

I have gout and blue devils on me, but you can always do more for me than colchicum if you say 'all right.'

From Charles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. II by Downey, Edmund