deadly nightshade n 1: perennial Eurasian herb with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries; extensively grown in United States; roots and leaves yield atropine [syn: {belladonna}, {belladonna plant}, {deadly nightshade}, {Atropa belladonna}] 2: poisonous perennial Old World vine having violet flowers and oval coral-red berries; widespread weed in North America [syn: {bittersweet}, {bittersweet nightshade}, {climbing nightshade}, {deadly nightshade}, {poisonous nightshade}, {woody nightshade}, {Solanum dulcamara}]
Nightshade \Night"shade`\, n. [AS. nichtscadu.] (Bot.) A common name of many species of the genus {Solanum}, given esp. to the {Solanum nigrum}, or black nightshade, a low, branching weed with small white flowers and black berries reputed to be poisonous. [1913 Webster] {Deadly nightshade}. Same as {Belladonna} (a) . {Enchanter's nightshade}. See under {Enchanter}. {Stinking nightshade}. See {Henbane}. {Three-leaved nightshade}. See {Trillium}. [1913 Webster]
deadly \dead"ly\, a. 1. Capable of causing death; mortal; fatal; destructive; certain or likely to cause death; as, a deadly blow or wound. [1913 Webster] 2. Aiming or willing to destroy; implacable; desperately hostile; flagitious; as, deadly enemies. [1913 Webster] Thy assailant is quick, skillful, and deadly. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 3. Subject to death; mortal. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The image of a deadly man. --Wyclif (Rom. i. 23). [1913 Webster] {Deadly nightshade} (Bot.), a poisonous plant; belladonna. See under {Nightshade}. [1913 Webster]
Belladonna \Bel`la*don"na\, n. [It., literally fine lady; bella beautiful + donna lady.] (Bot.) (a) An herbaceous European plant ({Atropa belladonna}) with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries. The whole plant and its fruit are very poisonous, and the root and leaves are used as powerful medicinal agents. Its properties are largely due to the alkaloid atropine which it contains. Called also {deadly nightshade}. (b) A species of {Amaryllis} ({Amaryllis belladonna}); the belladonna lily. [1913 Webster]