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monkshood
noun
monks·hood
ˈməŋ(k)s-ˌhu̇d
: 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
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Word History
First Known Use
1577, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near monkshood
Cite this Entry
“Monkshood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monkshood. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
monkshood
noun
monks·hood
ˈməŋ(k)s-ˌhu̇d
: 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
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on monkshood
Nglish: Translation of monkshood for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monkshood
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