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col·chi·cum

(kŏlchĭ-kəm, kŏlkĭ-)

1. Any of various bulbous plants of the genus Colchicum, such as the autumn crocus.

2. The dried ripe seeds or corms of the autumn crocus, both of which yield colchicine.

[Latin, autumn crocus (noted for its poisonous root), from Greek kolkhikon, from neuter of kolkhikos, of Colchis, from Kolkhis, Colchis (the home of the sorceress and poisoner Medea in Greek mythology).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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