belladonna
/ˌbɛləˈdɒnə
/noun
1Deadly nightshade.Derivatives of plant leaves, flowers, stems, berries, fruits and roots account for about half of those available including some of the better known - arnica and belladonna....
- Two of the most popular and better known are arnica and belladonna.
- You don't have much of your hour left to find some belladonna.
1.1 [mass noun] A drug prepared from the leaves and root of deadly nightshade, containing atropine.The most common ingredients prescribed were iodides, organic nitrites, stramonium, belladonna, atropine, hyoscyamus, tobacco smoke, and menthol....
- Although a small benefit has been found from the combination of belladonna and phenobarbital, concern over adverse effects and possible addiction problems has limited its use.
- By the late eighteenth century William Heberden was recommending cold baths and blisters ‘applied to the loins' and belladonna was later used as a cure.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from modern Latin, from Italian bella donna 'fair lady', perhaps from the use of its juice to add brilliance to the eyes by dilating the pupils.