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Webster 1913 Edition

Nightshade

Night′shadeˊ

,
Noun.
[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.
Deadly nightshade
.
Same as
Belladonna
(a)
.
–
Enchanter’s nightshade
.
See under
Enchanter
.
–
Stinking nightshade
.
See
Henbane
.
–
Three-leaved nightshade
.
See
Trillium
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Nightshade

NIGHTSHADE

,
Noun.
A plant of the genus Solanum. The deadly nightshade is of the genus Atropa; the American nightshade of the genus Phytolacea; the bastard nightshade of the genus Rivina; the enchanter's nightshade of the genus Circaea; the Malabar nightshade of the genus Basella; and the three-leaved nightshade of the genus Trillium.

Definition 2024

nightshade

nightshade

English

Noun

nightshade ‎(plural nightshades)

  1. (botany) Any of the poisonous plants belonging to the genus Solanum, especially black nightshade or woody nightshade.
  2. (botany, colloquial) Any plant of the wider Solanaceae family, including the nightshades as well as tomato, potato, eggplant, and deadly nightshade.
  3. Belladonna or deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna.
  4. Any of several plants likened to nightshade, usually because of similar dark-colored berries.

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology

Old English nihtscada, apparently corresponding to night +‎ shade.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈnaɪtʃeɪd/

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