belladonna
belladonna Lexical Profile
• noun
A poisonous Eurasian perennial herbaceous plant (Atropa belladonna) of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), bearing dull purple bell-shaped flowers and glossy black berries containing toxic tropane alkaloids.
"The herbalist warned the apprentices never to confuse the shiny black berries of belladonna with edible wild fruits."
A medicinal extract or drug obtained from the leaves and roots of Atropa belladonna, containing atropine and scopolamine, used as an antispasmodic or to dilate the pupils.
"The ophthalmologist administered a dilute solution of belladonna to examine the patient's retina."
A bulbous South African plant (Amaryllis belladonna, the belladonna lily) cultivated for its large, fragrant, funnel-shaped pink or white blossoms that appear on bare stems before the leaves emerge.
"Clusters of pink belladonna bloomed along the sunny garden border in late summer."
• Rhymes for belladonna
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Italian belladonna, literally meaning 'beautiful lady' (from bella 'beautiful' + donna 'lady'), in reference to the historical practice among Italian women of using eye drops derived from the plant to dilate their pupils for cosmetic purposes.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.