Main Entry:

col·chi·cum

Pronunciation:

\ˈkäl-chi-kəm, ˈkäl-ki-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, a kind of plant with a poisonous root, from Greek kolchikon, literally, product of Colchis

Date:

1597

1 : any of a genus (Colchicum) of Old World corm-producing herbs of the lily family with flowers that resemble crocuses 2 : the dried corm or dried seeds of autumn crocus containing colchicine, possessing emetic, diuretic, and cathartic action, and used to treat gout