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Webster 1913 Edition


Belladonna

Belˊla-don′na

,
Noun.
[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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Belladonna

BEL'LADONNA

,
Noun.
A plant, a species of Atropa, or deadly nightshade.