doll's eyes
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A North American herb with white poisonous berries: "Doll's eyes" refers to a specific perennial plant native to eastern North America, scientifically known as Actaea pachypoda. It is characterized by its distinctive fruit, which are white berries with a single black dot, resembling the eyes of a traditional doll. The entire plant, especially the berries and roots, is highly toxic to humans.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- We identified doll's eyes growing in the shady forest understory. (We identified the doll's eyes plant growing in the shady forest understory.)
- The bright white berries of doll's eyes are a warning of their toxicity. (The bright white berries of the doll's eyes plant are a warning of their toxicity.)
Advanced Usage
- Used in botanical and ecological contexts: The term is primarily used in field guides, botanical studies, and by naturalists to describe this specific plant species and its identifying features.
- Hikers are cautioned to avoid touching or eating doll's eyes. (Hikers are cautioned to avoid touching or eating the berries of the Actaea pachypoda plant.)
Variants and Related Words
- White baneberry: A common alternative name for the same plant ().
- Actaea pachypoda: The scientific binomial name for the species.
Synonyms
- White baneberry: This is the most direct synonym, referring to the same plant.
- Doll's-eyes: A hyphenated variant spelling of the term.
Related Phrases
- "As poisonous as doll's eyes": A comparative phrase (though not a fixed idiom) that might be used to emphasize extreme toxicity, drawing on the plant's notorious reputation.
- That substance is as poisonous as doll's eyes. (That substance is extremely toxic, like the berries of the white baneberry plant.)
Noun
- North American herb with white poisonous berries