elaterium

noun

el·​a·​te·​ri·​um
ˌeləˈtirēəm
plural -s
: a purgative substance precipitated as a fine powder from the juice of the squirting cucumber on spontaneous evaporation and used in the form of yellowish cakes

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek elatērion (also, squirting cucumber), from neuter of elatērios driving, driving away, purgative, from elatēr driver

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Dictionary Entries Near elaterium

elaterite

elaterium

Elatinaceae

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Cite this Entry

“Elaterium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elaterium. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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