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nightshade Definition

night·shade (nīts̸hād′)

noun

  1. any of a large genus (Solanum) of chiefly tropical plants of the nightshade family, with five-lobed leaves and flowers of various colors, including the black nightshade
  2. belladonna (sense )
  3. henbane

Etymology: ME nichtheschode < OE nihtscada (see night & shade): ? with reference to narcotic qualities

adjective

designating a large family (Solanaceae, order Solanales) of poisonous and nonpoisonous dicotyledonous plants chiefly of warm regions, generally having a round stem, rank smell, and watery sap, and including the tobaccos, red peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, petunias, and eggplant

nightshade Usage Examples

Possessives

  • enchanter: Plants include the wild daffodil, wood anemone and enchanters ' nightshade among others.

Converse of object

  • include: On our August 2002 trip we found several new plants, including black nightshade, pink water speedwell, water plantain and dwarf spurge.
  • eat: Another account relates how he poisoned himself by eating deadly nightshade, other less specific reports simply say that he died from poisoning.

Adjective modifier

  • woody: Someone had been hoeing up the weeds by the path, possibly the related woody nightshade which may have been its host.
  • deadly: Tomato sauce: the tomato plant, a relative of deadly nightshade, originated in the Andes.
  • black: On our August 2002 trip we found several new plants, including black nightshade, pink water speedwell, water plantain and dwarf spurge.
  • Black: Black nightshade grows rapidly after germination and the time from emergence to flowering is around 60 days in May and 50 days in July.
  • crushed: I have substituted some healing herbs for the crushed nightshade we found in Turok's quarters.
  • poisonous: According to one belief, Romans were thought to have mixed a special drink for their enemy with a poisonous nightshade in it.

Modifies a noun

  • family: Chillies are members of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family of plants.
  • plant: During the Italian Renaissance, women used eye drops made from the berries of the deadly nightshade plant.
  • seed: Black nightshade seeds have also been found in cattle droppings.
  • flower: Biology: Black nightshade flowers from July to September.
  • berry: Demons In " Petits Pois " a childless wife poisons her husband with deadly nightshade berries on their ruby wedding anniversary.
  • food: The nutritionalist I saw also suggested avoiding the nightshade foods, but love aubergines!

Noun used with modifier

  • enchanter: Over Hadrian's Wall An ascent from Ullswater to Little Mell Fell passes alpine enchanters nightshade.

Browse dictionary entries near nightshade

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  5. nightlong
  6. nightjar
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  8. nightie
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  10. nightgown
  1. nightshirt
  2. nightside
  3. nightspot
  4. nightstand
  5. nightstick
  6. nighttide
  7. nighttime
  8. nightwalker
  9. nightwear
  10. nighty