monkshood

noun

monks·​hood ˈməŋ(k)s-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce monkshood (audio)
: any of a genus (Aconitum) of usually bluish flowered poisonous herbs of the buttercup family
especially : a poisonous Eurasian herb (A. napellus) often cultivated for its showy terminal racemes of white or purplish flowers compare wolfsbane

Examples of monkshood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Crimson bearberries and poisonous purple monkshood flowers swayed in the wind near the hill's summit. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2023 In the next few weeks, visitors can expect to see monkshood, delphiniums, mock orange and comfrey blooming. Anchorage Daily News, 11 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monkshood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monkshood was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near monkshood

Cite this Entry

“Monkshood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monkshood. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

monkshood

noun
monks·​hood ˈməŋ(k)s-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce monkshood (audio)
: any of a genus of poisonous plants related to the buttercups
especially : a tall Eurasian plant that is often grown for its white or purplish flowers

Medical Definition

monkshood

noun
monks·​hood ˈməŋ(k)s-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce monkshood (audio)
: any plant of the genus Aconitum
especially : a Eurasian herb (A. napellus) often cultivated for its showy white or purplish flowers that is extremely poisonous in all its parts see aconite sense 2

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