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
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
Nightshades include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, belladonna, petunias and tobacco, a few of which are commonly used as plant models in scientific research, and several of which probably landed on your dinner plate recently (though hopefully not the poisonous belladonna).
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2017
See all Example Sentences for belladonna 
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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
Nightshades include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, belladonna, petunias and tobacco, a few of which are commonly used as plant models in scientific research, and several of which probably landed on your dinner plate recently (though hopefully not the poisonous belladonna).
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2017
See all Example Sentences for belladonna
Dictionary Entries Near belladonna
Cite this Entry
“Belladonna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belladonna. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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