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Glite Dictionary
colic root

colic root

9.9
A small plant with grasslike leaves whose bitter root was used to treat stomach pain
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒlɪk ruːt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : raíz cólica
  • Herbalists once used colic root to treat digestive discomfort and stomach cramps.

Examples

  • The colic root in the meadow has slender, grasslike leaves and small white flowers.

  • The herbalist recommended colic root for digestive issues.

  • He researched traditional uses of colic root among Indigenous peoples in North America.

  • Many people find colic roots helpful for relieving stomach pain.

  • Herbalists once used colic root to treat digestive discomfort and stomach cramps.

  • Many people find colic root helpful for relieving stomach pain.

  • The colic root in the meadow has slender, grasslike leaves and small white flowers.

Synonyms

colicroot
vscolic root
  • Archaic
9.9

A plant that lives for several years with grasslike leaves and bitter roots that people use to treat stomach pain

focuses on recorded historical use as a remedy rather than mere belief
unicorn root
vscolic root
  • Archaic
9.9

A plant with long thin leaves and a bitter root used to treat stomach pain

emphasizes actual past use as a remedy rather than reputation
crow corn
vscolic root
  • Archaic
9.9

A small plant like grass with pale flowers and a bitter root used to treat stomach problems

refers to the same genus but frames use more neutrally
ague root
vscolic root
  • Archaic
9.9

A North American plant with small white flowers sometimes used in herbal medicine

focuses on genus plants and bitter roots used for colic rather than regional traits
star grass
vscolic root
  • Specialized
7.9

A wildflower with grasslike leaves and small star-shaped flowers

refers specifically to the Aletris genus and its bitter roots used for colic

Surface Forms

colic root singular
colic roots plural

Morphology

colic + root

The compound is a straightforward noun-noun composition: 'colic' (abdominal pain) + 'root' (plant organ), so the meaning 'a plant root associated with or used for colic' is directly derivable from the constituents. This is a literal, compositional formation (a medicinal root for colic) and not idiomatic, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely understand it.

Etymology

Colic root gets its name from the plant's bitter root, which people long ago used as a medicine for colic, or strong 'stomach pain'. So the name shows the plant was used to treat stomach pain.