nightshade
|night-shade|
🇺🇸
/ˈnaɪtˌʃeɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˈnaɪtʃeɪd/
night + shade → dark or poisonous plant
Etymology
'nightshade' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'nihtscēad' (also seen as 'nihtsceadu'), where 'niht' meant 'night' and 'scēad' meant 'shadow' or 'shade'.
'nightshade' changed from the Old English word 'nihtscēad' to Middle English forms such as 'nightschade' and 'nightschade', and eventually became the modern English word 'nightshade'.
Initially, it meant 'night-shadow' (literally something of the night or a night shadow); over time the term came to be applied specifically to certain plants (often poisonous), especially Atropa belladonna and related species.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
any of various plants of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), including species such as tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants when used broadly.
Some common vegetables belong to the nightshade family.
Synonyms
Noun 2
specifically, the poisonous plant Atropa belladonna (commonly called deadly nightshade), a Eurasian species with purple flowers and black berries.
The nightshade by the hedge had bell-shaped purple flowers and black berries.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/08/17 20:43