deadly nightshade

noun

: belladonna sense 1

Examples of deadly nightshade in a Sentence

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The symptoms and outcomes were consistent with poisoning with belladonna (aka deadly nightshade), the active ingredient in the teething products that was supposed to be diluted out. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Aug. 2023 As far back as the 1800s, French scientists found that, after surgically attaching two rats, injecting a compound from a deadly nightshade plant into one rat could dilate the pupils of the other, the Times reports. — Victoria Sayo Turner, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadly nightshade was in 1578

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“Deadly nightshade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadly%20nightshade. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

deadly nightshade

noun
: belladonna sense 1

Medical Definition

deadly nightshade

noun
: belladonna sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on deadly nightshade

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deadly nightshade

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