belladonna
pronunciation
How to pronounce belladonna in British English:
UK [ˌbeləˈdɒnə]
How to pronounce belladonna in American English:
US [ˌbeləˈdɑnə]
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- Noun:
- perennial Eurasian herb with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries; extensively grown in United States; roots and leaves yield atropine
- an alkaloidal extract or tincture of the poisonous belladonna herb that is used medicinally
Word Origin
- belladonna (n.)
- 1590s, "deadly nightshade" (Atropa belladonna), from Italian, literally "fair lady;" the plant so called supposedly because women made cosmetic eye-drops from its juice (an 18c. explanation; atropic acid, found in the plant, has a well-known property of dilating the pupils) or because it was used to poison beautiful women. Perhaps a folk etymology alteration; Gamillscheg suggests ultimately of Gaulish origin.
Example
- 1. What effect does element of heart inject belladonna have ?
- 2. Of prior belladonna medication may help to confirm the diagnosis .
- 3. A " belladonna " -- like in the stevie nicks song -- is a beautiful woman in italian .
- 4. Ever heard of the belladonna plant ?
- 5. A history of prior belladonna medication may help to confirm the diagnosis .