euphorbium

noun

eu·​phor·​bi·​um
plural -s
: a yellow or brownish very acrid gum resin derived from a Moroccan spurge (Euphorbia resinifera) and other African spurges and formerly employed medicinally as an emetic and cathartic but now used chiefly in veterinary medicine as a vesicant

Word History

Etymology

Middle English euforbium, from Medieval Latin, from Greek euphorbion euphorbium, euphorbia, from Euphorbus

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Cite this Entry

“Euphorbium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euphorbium. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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