1. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of herbaceous plants (Tribulus) of the order Zygophylleæ, having a hard several-celled fruit, armed with stout spines, and resembling the military instrument of the same name. The species grow in warm countries, and are often very annoying to cattle.
2. (Mil.)
Defn: An instrument with four iron points, so disposed that, any three of them being on the ground, the other projects upward. They are scattered on the ground where an enemy's cavalry are to pass, to impede their progress by endangering the horses' feet.
CALUMBA
Ca*lum"ba, n. Etym: [from kalumb, its native name in Mozambique.]
(Med.)
Defn: The root of a plant (Jateorrhiza Calumba, and probably Cocculus palmatus), indigenous in Mozambique. It has an unpleasantly bitter taste, and is used as a tonic and antiseptic. [Written also colombo, columbo, and calombo.] American calumba, the Frasera Carolinensis, also called American gentian. Its root has been used in medicine as bitter tonic in place of calumba.
CALUMBIN
Ca*lum"bin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A bitter principle extracted as a white crystalline substance from the calumba root. [Written also colombin, and columbin]
CALUMET Cal"u*met, n. Etym: [F. calumet, fr. L. calamus reed. See Halm, and cf. Shawm.]
Defn: A kind of pipe, used by the North American Indians for smoking tobacco. The bowl is usually made of soft red stone, and the tube is a long reed often ornamented with feathers. Smoked the calumet, the Peace pipe, As a signal to the nations. Lowgfellow.