colchicine Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an analgesic drug derived from the saffron plant and used to treat gout

WordNet

Col"chi*cine noun
Etymology
Cf. F. colchicine.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) A powerful vegetable alkaloid, C17H19NO5, extracted from the Colchicum autumnale, or meadow saffron, as a white or yellowish amorphous powder, with a harsh, bitter taste; -- called also colchicia.

Webster 1913