colocynth (redirected from colocynths)

col·o·cynth  (kl-snth)

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]