Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
squill Pronunciation:
'skwil Function:
noun 1 a : a Mediterranean bulbous herb of the genus
Urginea (
U. maritima) of thelily family called also
sea onion b : any of several other plants of the genus
Urginea c : the bulbs of a squill (especially
U. maritima)
2 a : the dried sliced bulb of the white-bulbed form of the squill (
Urginea maritima) of the Mediterranean region or the dried sliced bulb of a related Asian plant (
U.indica) that contains one or more physically active cardiac glycosides and was formerly used as an expectorant, cardiac stimulant, and diuretic —see
URGINEA 2a; —compare WHITE SQUILL b : RED SQUILL 2
[skwil] 
,