colicweed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicArchaic / Botanical-Historical
Quick answer
What does “colicweed” mean?
A plant, specifically the devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), historically used in folk medicine to treat colic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plant, specifically the devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), historically used in folk medicine to treat colic.
Any of several plants, especially of the genus Corydalis or the genus Dicentra, historically used as folk remedies for intestinal pain. The term is archaic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern difference, as the term is obsolete in both dialects. Historically, it might have referred to slightly different local plants in each region.
Connotations
In both dialects, it solely connotes historical/folk medicine and botany. No contemporary emotional or social connotations exist.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in both modern British and American English. Might appear marginally more in British texts due to the plant's native status in Europe.
Grammar
How to Use “colicweed” in a Sentence
[Colicweed] was used for [ailment].They called the plant [colicweed].[Colicweed], a folk remedy, ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical, botanical, or ethnopharmacology papers discussing archaic plant nomenclature and folk medicine.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in modern technical botany; superseded by Latin binomials.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colicweed”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “colicweed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colicweed”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Assuming it is a standard common name.
- Confusing it with other plants like 'fumitory' or 'wild yam' which were also called colicweed.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term and is not used in modern everyday, medical, or botanical English.
Most commonly, it refers to devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), but it was applied to other plants like certain Corydalis species.
Only if you are specifically discussing historical plant names or folk medicine, and it should be placed in quotation marks to indicate its archaic status.
This is a historical term. One should never use any plant for medicinal purposes without consulting a modern medical professional, as historical uses are not evidence of safety or efficacy.
A plant, specifically the devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), historically used in folk medicine to treat colic.
Colicweed is usually archaic / botanical-historical in register.
Colicweed: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒlɪkwiːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːlɪkwiːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: a WEED used for COLIC = COLICWEED.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANT IS MEDICINE (specifically, PLANT IS A CURE FOR ABDOMINAL PAIN).
Practice
Quiz
In what context would you most likely encounter the word 'colicweed'?