/ ˌbeləˈdɒnə; NAmE -ˈdɑːnə/ noun [ U ]
1.
= deadly nightshade
2.
a poisonous drug made from deadly nightshade
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 18th cent.: from modern Latin , from Italian bella donna fair lady, perhaps from the use of its juice to add brilliance to the eyes by dilating the pupils.