El`a*te"ri*um (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. ?,
neut. of ? driving. See 2d Elater.] A cathartic
substance obtained, in the form of yellowish or greenish cakes, as
the dried residue of the juice of the wild or squirting cucumber
(Ecballium agreste, formerly called Momordica
Elaterium).