wolfsbane

[ woolfs-beyn ]

noun

1. any of several plants in the aconite genus Aconitum, including A. lycoctonum, bearing stalks of hood-shaped purplish-blue flowers, the monkshood A. napellus, which yields a poisonous alkaloid used medicinally, and numerous garden varieties in various colors.

wolfsbane

/ ˈwʊlfsˌbeɪn /

noun

1. any of several poisonous N temperate plants of the ranunculaceous genus Aconitum, esp A. lycoctonum, which has yellow hoodlike flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of wolfsbane¹

1540–50; wolf + 's 1 + bane

Example Sentences

Monkshood is also known as wolfsbane, which Harry Potter fans might recognize as a potion brewed to calm werewolves.

From Seattle Times

Aconite, also known as monkshood, helmet flower or wolfsbane, is used in Asian herbal medicines.

From The Guardian

Ever since a cave man reached too quickly for a spear, hamstring strains have been the wolfsbane of warriors — weekend and otherwise.

From Los Angeles Times

“What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?”

From Literature

In ramrodding an outfit to market, or seeing a plan to completion, all must stand clear of brackish water, wolfsbane and loco weed.

From Project Gutenberg