noun
belladonna
beh-luh-DO-nuh
noun
1
A poisonous plant with purple, bell-shaped flowers and glossy black berries, also called deadly nightshade.
"The gardener warned the children never to touch the belladonna growing at the edge of the woods."
2
A drug derived from this plant, containing atropine, once used to dilate the pupils and still used in some medicines.
"Doctors once used belladonna drops to widen a patient's pupils before an eye exam."
How to Use Belladonna
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA poisonous plant, also known as deadly nightshade, or the drug made from it.
Common mistake
Despite the pretty name, the plant and its berries are highly toxic.
Word Forms
belladonnas plural
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Etymology
From Italian bella donna, "beautiful lady," because women once used drops made from the plant to make their pupils look larger and more attractive.