death cap

noun

: a very poisonous mushroom (Amanita phalloides) of deciduous woods of North America and Europe that varies in color from pure white to olive or yellow and has a prominent volva at the base

called also death cup

Examples of death cap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anyone who eats death cap mushrooms may fall ill, then appear to recover, but the poison can then cause liver failure or death, officials said. Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 6 Jan. 2025 Another frequent call concerns the death cap mushroom, Amanita phalloides, the deadliest of all mushrooms. Sara Okeefe, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of death cap was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near death cap

Cite this Entry

“Death cap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20cap. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

death cap

noun
: a very poisonous mushroom that varies in color from pure white to olive to yellow and has an obvious swollen covering about the base

called also death cup

Medical Definition

death cap

noun
: a very poisonous mushroom of the genus Amanita (A. phalloides) of deciduous woods of North America and Europe that varies in color from pure white to olive or yellow and has a prominent volva at the base

called also death cup

see thioctic acid
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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