What does monkshood mean?
Monkshood most commonly refers to a poisonous perennial herb of the genus Aconitum, especially the garden species Aconitum napellus. It is recognized by its deeply divided leaves and hood- or helmet-shaped flowers, which may be blue, violet, or white. The plant has long been valued in gardens for its striking appearance, but its reputation for toxicity is serious: many monkshoods contain potent alkaloids, and ingestion can cause severe or potentially fatal poisoning. The name reflects the resemblance of the flowers to the hood or cowl worn by monks. Less commonly, monkshood simply means the hood worn by a monk. The word is useful in both botanical and historical contexts, and it illustrates how an ordinary description of appearance can become a memorable warning: monkshood is beautiful, distinctive, and dangerous. It is also sometimes called aconite or wolfsbane.
nounMonkshood is a poisonous perennial herb of the genus Aconitum, especially Aconitum napellus, with deeply divided leaves and distinctive hood-shaped blue, violet, or white flowers. The word can also refer to a monk's hood or cowl.
- Any of various poisonous perennial herbs of the genus Aconitum, particularly Aconitum napellus, the common or garden monkshood.
- A hood or cowl worn by a monk.
"Monkshood grew along the woodland path, its violet hooded flowers concealing a plant with a famously poisonous nature."
"The gardener warned visitors not to touch the monkshood growing beside the pond."
"The medieval painting depicts the saint wearing a simple monkshood."
The plural is possible when referring to separate plants, although the name is often used without a plural marker.
"Several monkshoods grew along the damp mountain stream."
Monkshood wears a monk's hood because its flowers resemble one—and its beauty hides a famously toxic nature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does monkshood come from?
The word derives from Middle English monk's hood, literally the hood worn by a monk. The plant received this name because its distinctive helmet-like flowers were thought to resemble a monk's cowl. The element monk ultimately comes through Latin from Greek monos, meaning “alone,” while hood is Old English in origin.
How monkshood is actually used
In modern usage, monkshood most often names the poisonous ornamental plant. The spelling monk's hood is also encountered, especially in older writing and references to the garment sense. The name should not be treated as harmless or decorative: many Aconitum species contain highly toxic alkaloids.
Easily confused with monkshood
Monkshood and wolfsbane are both common names for Aconitum and often denote the same plants, so the distinction is chiefly one of emphasis rather than species.