colchicum

[ kol-chi-kuhm, kol-ki- ]

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.

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

Origin of colchicum

1
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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British Dictionary definitions for colchicum

colchicum

/ (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

Origin of colchicum

1
C16: from Latin, from Greek kolkhikon, from kolkhikos of Colchis

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