datura

noun

da·​tu·​ra də-ˈt(y)u̇r-ə How to pronounce datura (audio)
: any of a genus (Datura) of widely distributed strong-scented herbs, shrubs, or trees of the nightshade family including some used as sources of medicinal alkaloids (such as stramonium) or in folk rites or illicitly for their poisonous, narcotic, or hallucinogenic properties compare jimsonweed

Examples of datura in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cuttings of datura and succulents culled from holidays in Greece or Malta or Portugal have taken to the arid Sardinian soil. Alexandra Marshall, WSJ, 29 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Hindi dhatūrā jimsonweed (or a cognate descendant of Sanskrit dhattūraḥ)

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of datura was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near datura

Cite this Entry

“Datura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/datura. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

datura

noun
da·​tu·​ra də-ˈt(y)u̇r-ə How to pronounce datura (audio)
1
capitalized : a genus of widely distributed strong-scented herbs, shrubs, or trees of the family Solanaceae including some used as sources of medicinal alkaloids (as stramonium from jimsonweed) or in folk rites or illicitly for their poisonous, narcotic, or hallucinogenic properties
2
: any plant or flower of the genus Datura

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