belladonna

bel·la·don·na  (bl-dn)

n.

1. A poisonous Eurasian perennial herb (Atropa belladonna) having usually solitary, nodding, purplish-brown, bell-shaped flowers and glossy black berries. Also called deadly nightshade.

2. An alkaloidal extract or tincture derived from this plant and used in medicine.

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[Italian : bella, feminine of bello, beautiful (from Latin bellus; see deu-² in Indo-European roots) + donna, lady; see Donna.]

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belladonna

Noun

1. a drug obtained from deadly nightshade

2. same as deadly nightshade [Italian, literally: beautiful lady; supposed to refer to its use as a cosmetic]

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belladonna  (bl-dn)

A preparation of the dried leaves or roots of deadly nightshade or related plants in the genus Belladonna, once used as a medicine. Belladonna contains several alkaloids that affect the nervous system by blocking the effects of acetylcholine.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	belladonna - perennial Eurasian herb with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries; extensively grown in United States; roots and leaves yield atropine Atropa belladonna, belladonna plant, deadly nightshade herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests Atropa, genus Atropa - belladonna
	2.	belladonna - an alkaloidal extract or tincture of the poisonous belladonna plant that is used medicinally atropine - a poisonous crystalline alkaloid extracted from the nightshade family; used as an antispasmodic and to dilate the eye pupil; also administered in large amounts as an antidote for organophosphate nerve agents or organophosphate insecticides