ˈkälchə̇ˌsēn, ˈkälkə̇-, -_sə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: German kolchizin, from New Latin Colchicum + German -in -ine
: a poisonous yellow crystalline alkaloid C 22 H 25 NO 6 extracted from the seed and corm of the meadow saffron that on application to mitotic cells induces polyploidy, an effect used experimentally and commercially to create new plant varieties, and that is used medicinally in the treatment of acute attacks of gout