Aconitate

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To convert into or treat with a certain toxic derivative derived from aconite plants ; to possess or impart the qualities of this poisonous compound ; to affect in a way characteristic of aconite poisoning
2. To change a substance into a toxin related to an extract of monkshood ; to exhibit traits or actions typical of this poisonous agent ; to apply or be influenced by the chemical properties of aconite
3. To transform into a noxious agent similar to aconite ; to display or cause symptoms associated with this natural poison ; to undergo a process involving the toxic effects of aconite alkaloids

Etymology: "Aconitate" is a chemistry-style formation rather than an old word with a dramatic past. It is built from "aconitic", the adjective used for a particular acid derived from aconite, the poisonous plant also called monkshood, with the ending "-ate" added to form a verb meaning to treat or poison with aconite. The "-ate" suffix is the familiar one from chemistry, where it marks salts and esters of an acid, so the verb carries the logic of that naming system into everyday poisoning vocabulary. Aconite itself has a long history as a poison, and the plant's name is one reason its relatives in the word family look so unlike their source. The base word is what gives the verb its meaning, while the suffix does the grammatical work of turning a substance into an action.

Synonyms: convert to aconitate, isomerize