Belladonna
/ˌbɛləˈdɒnə/noun
A poisonous European plant, Atropa belladonna, whose berries and leaves contain tropane alkaloids.
Did you know?Italian women reportedly used belladonna preparations to dilate their pupils, a fashionable effect caused by atropine but accompanied by serious poisoning risks.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
bellus
“Pretty, beautiful, or charming; the source of Italian bella.”
Classical Latin
Latin
domina
“Lady or mistress of a household; the source of Italian donna through later Romance sound changes.”
Medieval Italian
Italian
bella donna
“Beautiful woman or beautiful lady; a descriptive name applied to the plant.”
16th Century
Italian
belladonna
“The plant now known as deadly nightshade, associated with cosmetic use by women.”
18th Century
English
belladonna
“An English botanical and medicinal term for deadly nightshade.”
Modern English
English
belladonna
“Atropa belladonna, a highly poisonous plant used historically in medicine and cosmetics.”