colchicine
nounUK /ˈkɒl.tʃɪs.iːn/ · US /ˈkɑl.t͡ʃəˌsiːn/
Etymology From colchicum + -ine.
1
Chemistry, Medicine, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Pharmacology, Physical sciences, Sciences A highly toxic alkaloid, chemical formula C₂₂H₂₅NO₆, originally extracted from plants of the genus Colchicum and formerly used to treat rheumatic complaints, now used mainly in the treatment of gout.
- Gloriosa superba: spectacularly beautiful climbing lily. Roots, stalks, leaves contain an acrid narcotic, superbine, as well as colchicine and choline. Three grains of colchicine are fatal. Hawaii.1964, Ian Fleming, You Only Live Twice:
- Derived terms
- thiocolchicine