bitter almond
Noun
Meaning
almond trees having white blossoms and poisonous nuts yielding an oil used for flavoring and for medicinal purposes
Source: WordNetSynonyms
Hypernyms
Examples
Extract of bitter almond was once used medicinally, but even in small doses, effects are severe or lethal, especially in children; the cyanide must be removed before consumption.
The bitter almond is slightly broader and shorter than the sweet almond, and contains about 50% of the fixed oil that occurs in sweet almonds.
While plum seeds are not the most toxic within the rose family (the bitter almond is the most toxic ), large doses of these chemicals from any source are hazardous to human health.