Definition of "nightshade" []

• Any of several plants of the genus Solanum, such as the bittersweet nightshade, most of which have a poisonous juice. (noun)
• Any of various similar or related plants, such as belladonna. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "And yet it's also classified as a nightshade which, along with potatoes, peppers and eggplants, are considered toxic by many health gurus."
• "Despite much publicity, there is no scientific evidence to support the theory that arthritis is made worse by the so-called nightshade vegetables, which include tomatoes, potatoes, green pepper, and eggplant."
• "The babe does not know that the nightshade is a poison; but its mother knows."