aconite

noun

ac·o·nite | \ ˈa-kə-ˌnīt

How to pronounce aconite (audio)

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plural aconites

Definition of aconite

1 : monkshood

2 : the dried poisonous tuberous root of a common monkshood (Aconitum napellus) used especially formerly for its medicinal properties (as in relieving pain)

3 : winter aconite … they began planting one million daffodil, crocus, and aconite bulbs.— Walter Karp

History and Etymology for aconite

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin aconītum, borrowed from Greek akónīton, perhaps of pre-Greek substratal origin

Note: The notion in late antiquity that the word was derived from Greek akonit́ī "without dust," hence, "without a struggle, effortless," referring to the efficacy of the poison, is fanciful.

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The first known use of aconite was in 1548

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aconite

noun

ac·o·nite | \ ˈak-ə-ˌnīt

\

Medical Definition of aconite

1 : monkshood

2 : the dried tuberous root of a monkshood (Aconitum napellus) formerly used as a cardiac and respiratory sedative

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having no equal

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