Colchicosis
/ˌkɒl.tʃɪˈkəʊ.sɪs/noun
Poisoning caused by colchicine or by plants of the genus Colchicum, especially autumn crocus.
Did you know?Colchicum was associated with Colchis—the legendary home of Medea, the enchantress of Greek myth—and its active poison, colchicine, can disrupt cell division.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Κολχίς (Kolkhís)
“Colchis, an ancient region on the eastern Black Sea, famed in myth as Medea’s homeland”
Classical Latin
Latin
Colchis
“The region of Colchis”
18th Century
New Latin
Colchicum
“The botanical genus named for Colchis, traditionally associated with the plant”
19th Century
English/New Latin
colchicine
“The poisonous alkaloid obtained chiefly from Colchicum autumnale”
19th–20th Century
Medical English
colchicosis
“Poisoning or toxic illness caused by colchicum or colchicine”
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