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aconite

[ak-uh-nahyt]
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noun
  1. any plant belonging to the genus Aconitum, of the buttercup family, having irregular flowers usually in loose clusters, including species with poisonous and medicinal properties.
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Also a·co·ni·tum [ak-uh-nahy-tuh m] /ˌæk əˈnaɪ təm/.
Compare monkshood, wolfsbane.

Origin of aconite

1570–80; < Latin aconītum < Greek akónīton leopard's-bane, wolfsbane
Related formsac·o·nit·ic [ak-uh-nit-ik] /ˌæk əˈnɪt ɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for aconite

Historical Examples

  • Which would be better to give him, quinine, or aconite and belladonna?

    The Very Small Person

    Annie Hamilton Donnell

  • They are only aconite and lettuce; and if I might ask for a little fresh water.

  • There was the awesome efficiency of wolfsbane with its deadly store of aconite.

  • For the fever and general nervous disturbance, Aconite and Bell.

  • Give the patient Aconite once in two hours, for a day after the accident.

British Dictionary definitions for aconite

aconite

aconitum (ˌækəˈnaɪtəm)

noun
  1. any of various N temperate plants of the ranunculaceous genus Aconitum, such as monkshood and wolfsbane, many of which are poisonousCompare winter aconite
  2. the dried poisonous root of many of these plants, sometimes used as an antipyretic
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Derived Formsaconitic (ˌækəˈnɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin

C16: via Old French or Latin from Greek akoniton aconite, monkshood
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for aconite

n.

poisonous plant (also known as monkshood and wolf's bane), 1570s, from French aconit, from Latin aconitum, from Greek akoniton, of unknown origin.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
aconite in Medicine

aconite

(ăk′ə-nīt′)
n.
  1. The dried leaves and roots of various herbs of the genus Aconitum, especially Aconitum napellus, containing aconitine. It is used externally as an analgesic and was formerly used internally as a sedative.monkshood
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.