/kol"chi keuhm, kol"ki-/ , n.
1. any Old World plant of the genus Colchicum, of the lily family, esp. the autumn crocus, C. autumnale.
2. the dried seeds or corms of this plant.
3. Pharm. a medicine or drug prepared from them, used in medicine chiefly in the treatment of gout.
[ 1590-1600; kolchikón meadow saffron, n. use of neut. of Kolchikós of COLCHIS, appar. by assoc. with Medea, the plant being considered poisonous ]