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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 16 Feb. 2025.
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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