n.
Pronunciation: ' käl-chi-k ə m, ' käl-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