belladonna

/,belə'dɔnə/

Thân thiện

A pharmacist carefully measures a dose of belladonna tincture.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A poisonous plant: A perennial Eurasian herb (Atropa belladonna) with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shiny black berries. All parts of this plant are toxic.
   • A medicinal extract: An alkaloidal extract or tincture obtained from the belladonna plant, used in medicine for its therapeutic properties.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Plant):
  • The forest edge was dotted with the distinctive flowers of belladonna.
  • Children are warned not to eat the attractive but deadly berries of the belladonna.
• Noun (Medicine):
  • The doctor prescribed a small dose of belladonna to relieve the muscle spasms.
  • Historically, belladonna extract was used in some eye drops.

Advanced Usage

• "Deadly nightshade": A common name for the belladonna plant, emphasizing its toxicity.
  • The plant known as deadly nightshade is, in fact, belladonna.

Variants and Related Words

• Atropine (n): The primary toxic alkaloid found in belladonna, which is also used medicinally.
  • Atropine, derived from belladonna, is used in some emergency medical treatments.

Synonyms

• Deadly nightshade: Common name for the plant.
• Atropa belladonna: The full botanical name.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an alkaloidal extract or tincture of the poisonous belladonna plant that is used medicinally
2. perennial Eurasian herb with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries; extensively grown in United States; roots and leaves yield atropine

Từ đồng nghĩa

• belladonna plant
• deadly nightshade
• Atropa belladonna