ecballium agreste

2 definitions found

ecballium agreste - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Elater \El"a*ter\, n. (Chem.)
     The active principle of elaterium, being found in the juice
     of the wild or squirting cucumber (Ecballium agreste,
     formerly Motordica Elaterium) and other related species. It
     is extracted as a bitter, white, crystalline substance, which
     is a violent purgative.
     [1913 Webster]

  Elaterium \El`a*te"ri*um\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, neut. of ?
     driving. See 2d Elater.]
     A cathartic substance obtained, in the form of yellowish or
     greenish cakes, as the dried residue of the juice of the wild
     or squirting cucumber (Ecballium agreste, formerly called
     Momordica Elaterium).
     [1913 Webster]