(ăk′ō-nīt)
[Pronunciation]
[Gr. akoniton]

The dried tuberous root of Aconitum, esp. A. napellus (monkshood) and A. lycoctonum (wolfsbane); a poisonous alkaloid that may cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Aconite is believed to have been used as an arrow poison early in Chinese history and perhaps also by the inhabitants of ancient Gaul. It was also used as an herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine.