colchicine

noun

col·​chi·​cine ˈkäl-chə-ˌsēn 

ˈkäl-kə-

: a poisonous alkaloid C₂₂H₂₅NO₆ that inhibits mitosis, is extracted from the corms or seeds of the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), and is used especially in the treatment of gout and to produce polyploidy in plants

Examples of colchicine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Police found colchicine under Adam’s car seat after the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office was tipped off by an anonymous letter that Conley would later admit to writing. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2024

According to the Post-Standard, authorities said Conley used colchicine — a medicine used to treat gout — to poison Yoder. —Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024

There are medications to lower LDL cholesterol and to help control inflammation, including low-dose colchicine, a drug that’s traditionally been used to treat gout. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 31 Aug. 2024

Authorities allege Connor used liquid colchicine to poison his wife Betty, who died on Aug. 20, 2023, four days after she was admitted to the hospital with severe gastrointestinal distress, according to a criminal complaint previously reviewed by PEOPLE. —Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

colchicine

noun

col·​chi·​cine ˈkäl-chə-ˌsēn 

ˈkäl-kə-

: a poisonous substance that is obtained from the corms or seeds of a plant resembling a crocus and that is used on cells to cause changes in chromosome numbers and to produce new varieties of plants

Medical Definition

colchicine

noun

col·​chi·​cine ˈkäl-chə-ˌsēn, ˈkäl-kə- 

: a poisonous alkaloid C₂₂H₂₅NO₆ that inhibits mitosis, is extracted from the corms or seeds of the autumn crocus, and is used in the treatment of gout and acute attacks of gouty arthritis