col·o·cynth (k l  -s nth )n. In both senses also called bitter apple. 1. A tendril-bearing Old World vine (Citrullus colocynthis) bearing yellowish, green-mottled fruits the size of small lemons. 2. The fruit of this plant, whose dried, bitter, spongy pulp is a very strong laxative. [Latin colocynthis, from Greek kolokunthis, from kolokunth  , round gourd.] |
colocynth [ˈkɒləsɪnθ]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a cucurbitaceous climbing plant, Citrullus colocynthis, of the Mediterranean region and Asia, having bitter-tasting fruit
2. (Medicine / Pharmacology) the dried fruit pulp of this plant, used as a strong purgative Also called bitter apple
[from Latin colocynthis, from Greek kolokunthis, from kolokunthē gourd, of obscure origin]
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