euphorbium en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /juːˈfɔː.bi.əm/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /juˈfɔɹ.bi.əm/ (General-American)
Etymology
From Latin euphorbium, from Ancient Greek εὐφόρβιον (euphórbion), from Εὔφορβος (Eúphorbos, “Euphorbus, physician to the Mauretanian king Juba II”) + -ιον (-ion, “related to”). The name is from εὔφορβος (eúphorbos, “well-fed”), from εὖ (eû, “well”) + φορβή (phorbḗ, “food, fodder”).
Meanings
- (uncountable) An acrid dull yellow or brown resin consisting of the concreted milky juice of several species of Euphorbia, formerly used as a purgative and emetic.