colocynth

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English[edit]

colocynth

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Latin colocynthis, from Ancient Greek κολοκυνθίς (kolokunthís), ultimately Pre-Greek.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

colocynth (countable and uncountable, plural colocynths)

  1. A viny plant, Citrullus colocynthis, native to the Mediterranean Basin and Asia. It produces a lemon-sized, yellowish, green-mottled, spongy, and extremely bitter fruit.
  2. The powdered pulp of this fruit, a powerful hepatic stimulant and hydragogue cathartic used as a strong laxative.

Synonyms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Further reading[edit]