belladonna

noun

bel·​la·​don·​na ˌbe-lə-ˈdä-nə 

1

: an Old World poisonous plant (Atropa belladonna) of the nightshade family having purple or green bell-shaped flowers, glossy black berries, and root and leaves that yield atropine

called also deadly nightshade

2

: a medicinal extract (such as atropine) from the belladonna plant

Examples of belladonna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their relatives include daffodils (Narcissus), naked ladies (Amaryllis belladonna), and the alliums, including edible garlic, leeks, onion, and the ornamental alliums. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024

Consuming belladonna can affect your nervous system. —Mary Choy, Health, 9 Oct. 2024

For instance, in 2016, the FDA linked improperly diluted belladonna in homeopathic teething products to the deaths of 10 infants and the poisonings of more than 400 others. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 19 Sep. 2024

So too is belladonna, nightshade, arsenic and lead. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, beautiful lady

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing belladonna

• belladonna lily

Kids Definition

belladonna

noun

bel·​la·​don·​na ˌbel-ə-ˈdän-ə 

1

: a European poisonous herb of the nightshade family with purple or green bell-shaped flowers, glossy black berries, and a root and leaves that are a source of atropine

called also deadly nightshade

2

: a drug or extract from the belladonna

Etymology

from Italian bella donna, literally, "beautiful lady"; so called because the extract was formerly used in cosmetics

Medical Definition

belladonna

noun

bel·​la·​don·​na ˌbel-ə-ˈdän-ə 

1

: an Old World poisonous plant of the genus Atropa (A. belladonna) having purple or green flowers, glossy black berries, and a root and leaves that yield atropine

called also deadly nightshade

2

: a medicinal preparation (as atropine) extracted from the belladonna plant and containing anticholinergic alkaloids