aconite

American  

[ak-uh-nahyt] / ˈæk əˌnaɪt /

Also aconitum

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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aconite British  

/ ˈækəˌnaɪt, ˌækəˈnaɪtəm, ˌækəˈnɪtɪk /

noun

1. any of various N temperate plants of the ranunculaceous genus Aconitum, such as monkshood and wolfsbane, many of which are poisonous Compare winter aconite

2. the dried poisonous root of many of these plants, sometimes used as an antipyretic

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Other Word Forms

• aconitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aconite

1570–80; < Latin aconītum < Greek akónīton leopard's-bane, wolfsbane

Example Sentences

Diners who fell quickly ill after eating at a restaurant outside Toronto likely ate food contaminated with toxic aconite, Canada health officials say.

From BBC

We sow a first flat of seeds; we gently rake debris from a bed to make way for a winter aconite or snowdrop to poke through and cheer us.

From Seattle Times

Outside in early spring, it’s time for snowdrops, crocuses and aconites, which peep out through the frost.

From Seattle Times

In mild winters, now no longer uncommon, aconites, snowdrops and early daffodils can appear two to four weeks earlier than in previous years.

From Washington Post

Even sooner, in late winter, winter aconites will be spreading their small, yellow blossoms in the slightly raised bed surrounding my terrace.

From Washington Times