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datura

noun
da·​tu·​ra | \ də-ˈt(y)u̇r-ə How to pronounce datura (audio) \

Definition of datura

: any of a genus (Datura) of widely distributed strong-scented herbs, shrubs, or trees of the nightshade family including some used as sources of medicinal alkaloids (such as stramonium) or in folk rites or illicitly for their poisonous, narcotic, or hallucinogenic properties — compare jimsonweed

Examples of datura in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Cuttings of datura and succulents culled from holidays in Greece or Malta or Portugal have taken to the arid Sardinian soil. — Alexandra Marshall, WSJ, "An Exclusive Tour of Angela Missoni’s Sardinian Vacation House," 29 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'datura.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of datura

1598, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for datura

ultimately from Hindi dhatūrā jimsonweed (or a cognate descendant of Sanskrit dhattūraḥ)

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More Definitions for datura

datura

noun
da·​tu·​ra | \ də-ˈt(y)u̇r-ə How to pronounce datura (audio) \

Medical Definition of datura

1 capitalized : a genus of widely distributed strong-scented herbs, shrubs, or trees of the family Solanaceae including some used as sources of medicinal alkaloids (as stramonium from jimsonweed) or in folk rites or illicitly for their poisonous, narcotic, or hallucinogenic properties
2 : any plant or flower of the genus Datura

More from Merriam-Webster on datura

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with datura

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about datura

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