Aconite
/ˈæk.ə.naɪt/noun
A highly poisonous plant of the genus Aconitum, also called monkshood or wolfsbane.
Did you know?Greek mythology claimed aconite sprang from the poisonous saliva of Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the underworld; ancient stories also associate it with Medea.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ak-
“Sharp or pointed; a proposed ancient root connected with the plant’s Greek name and with words for points and edges.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀκών (akṓn)
“A point, dart, or projectile; its connection with aconite is traditional but not completely certain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀκόνιτον (akóniton)
“Aconite, the poisonous plant; the word’s deeper origin is disputed.”
Classical Latin
Latin
aconītum
“Aconite or wolfsbane, borrowed from Greek.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
aconitum
“The poisonous herb used in medical and botanical writing.”
15th Century
English
aconite
“The plant name enters English through French and Latin botanical usage.”
Modern English
English
aconite
“A toxic flowering plant, especially Aconitum napellus, commonly called monkshood.”