Atropa belladonna 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}]
Atropine \At"ro*pine\, n. [Gr. ? inflexible; hence ? ?, one of the three Parc[ae]; 'a priv. + ? to turn.] (Chem.) A poisonous, white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from the {Atropa belladonna}, or deadly nightshade, and the {Datura Stramonium}, or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its power in dilating the pupil of the eye. Called also {daturine}. [1913 Webster]
Atropa \Atropa\ n. a genus of plants of the nightshade family, including the {belladonna} ({Atropa belladonna}). Syn: genus {Atropa}. [WordNet 1.5]
Death's-herb \Death's"-herb`\, n. The deadly nightshade ({Atropa belladonna}). --Dr. Prior. [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]
Dwale \Dwale\, n. [OE. dwale, dwole, deception, deadly nightshade, AS. dwala, dwola, error, doubt; akin to E. dull. See {Dull}, a.] 1. (Bot.) The deadly nightshade ({Atropa Belladonna}), having stupefying qualities. [1913 Webster] 2. (Her.) The tincture sable or black when blazoned according to the fantastic system in which plants are substituted for the tinctures. [1913 Webster] 3. A sleeping potion; an opiate. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]