monkshood

noun

monks·​hood ˈməŋ(k)s-ˌhu̇d 

: any of a genus (Aconitum) of usually bluish flowered poisonous herbs of the buttercup family

especially : a poisonous Eurasian herb (A. napellus) often cultivated for its showy terminal racemes of white or purplish flowers compare wolfsbane

Examples of monkshood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sometimes referred to as monkshood or helmet flower, the different species of wolfsbane produce flowers that resemble sloped hoods or helmets: for Aconitum napellus, these range from purple to blue, whereas those of Aconitum lycoctonum are yellow. —Laura Murphy, JSTOR Daily, 28 Feb. 2025

Crimson bearberries and poisonous purple monkshood flowers swayed in the wind near the hill's summit. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2023

In the next few weeks, visitors can expect to see monkshood, delphiniums, mock orange and comfrey blooming. —Anchorage Daily News, 11 July 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monkshood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood

Kids Definition

monkshood

noun

monks·​hood ˈməŋ(k)s-ˌhu̇d 

: any of a genus of poisonous plants related to the buttercups

especially : a tall Eurasian plant that is often grown for its white or purplish flowers

Medical Definition

monkshood

noun

monks·​hood ˈməŋ(k)s-ˌhu̇d 

: any plant of the genus Aconitum

especially : a Eurasian herb (A. napellus) often cultivated for its showy white or purplish flowers that is extremely poisonous in all its parts see aconite sense 2