wolfsbane

See also: wolf's bane

English

Alternative forms

• wolf's bane, wolfbane

Etymology

From wolf +‎ -s- +‎ bane, a calque of Ancient Greek λυκοκτόνον (lukoktónon), from λύκος (lúkos, “wolf”) + κτείνω (kteínō, “I kill”). Influenced by Latin lycoctonum.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈwʊlfsbeɪn/

Noun

wolfsbane (plural wolfsbanes)

1. Any of several poisonous perennial herbs of the genus Aconitum.
2. Arnica montana

Synonyms

• (herb of the genus Aconitum): aconite, monkshood
• (Arnica montana): arnica, leopard's bane, leopardsbane, wolf's bane, mountain tobacco, mountain arnica

Derived terms

• healing wolfsbane (Aconitum anthora)

Translations

herbs of the genus Aconitum — see aconite

See also

• lycanthropy
• werewolf

Anagrams

• wolfbanes