belladonna

/ˌbɛləˈdɑnə/
noun
  1. A poisonous plant with dark berries and purple flowers, also called deadly nightshade, used in medicine in very small amounts.
    • In the past, women used belladonna drops to make their pupils look larger.
    • The gardener warned us not to touch the belladonna berries because they are poisonous.
    • Belladonna is highly toxic, but it has been used in some medicines to relax muscles.
  2. A drug made from the belladonna plant, used to treat certain medical conditions like stomach cramps or motion sickness.
    • The doctor prescribed a small dose of belladonna to help with the patient's intestinal spasms.
    • Belladonna extract is sometimes used in eye drops to dilate the pupils during an exam.
    • Some travelers take belladonna tablets to prevent motion sickness on long trips.
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