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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• aconitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aconite

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

Example Sentences

Diners presented to hospitals nearby with symptoms resembling that of aconite poisoning.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2022

He said people who suspect they have accidentally ingested aconite "can't get to the hospital fast enough".

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2022

The challenge for doctors, Dr Juurlink said, is there is no antidote for aconite poisoning.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2022

Dr David Juurlink, an internal medicine physician and toxicology researcher in Toronto, said the concern is that, when not processed thoroughly, toxic bits of the aconite will remain.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2022

With regard to aconite I have no such feeling, and a mixture of tincture of aconite and spiritus etheris nitrosi may be given for several weeks with no fear of doing any harm.

From Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension: with Chapters on Blood Pressure, 3rd Edition. by Warfield, Louis Marshall