jimson weed

[ jim-suhn ]

noun

1. a coarse, rank-smelling weed, Datura stramonium, of the nightshade family, having oaklike, poisonous leaves and tubular white or lavender flowers.

jimson weed

/ ˈdʒɪmsən /

noun

1. a poisonous solanaceous plant, Datura stramonium, of the N hemisphere, having white funnel-shaped flowers and spiny capsule fruits Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)thorn apple

Word History and Origins

Origin of jimson weed¹

1805–15, Americanism; variant of Jamestown weed, after Jamestown, Virginia

Word History and Origins

Origin of jimson weed¹

C17: from earlier Jamestown weed, from Jamestown, Virginia

Example Sentences

The ordinary jimson weed grew so large that each blossom looked like a great white lily.

From Project Gutenberg

The jimson weed on the Pacific coast of the Andes has large white flowers which exhale a faint, repulsive odor.

From Project Gutenberg

I think it must be some particularly virulent variety of the jimson weed.

From Project Gutenberg

The Jimson Weed (Datura) is a bushy plant, from two to five feet high, bearing large leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

When the clothes are washed and ready to boil, pin jimson weed leaves upon the place.

From Project Gutenberg