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nightshade

Flora
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Nightshade refers to a family of plants, some of which are toxic and have historical associations with witchcraft and danger.

Detailed Definition
Nightshade, particularly the species Atropa belladonna, is infamous for its toxic properties and has been historically linked to various myths and superstitions. In literature, it often symbolizes danger and the darker side of beauty, making it a poignant reference in Keats' meditation on melancholy. The phrase 'ruby grape of Proserpine' further emphasizes its connection to themes of death and the underworld.
Example
Example in poetry:
Keats invokes “nightshade” among the deathly flowers of “Ode to Melancholy”; “Nightshade berries darkened beneath the hedge” uses the plant’s beauty and poison; “Do not mistake nightshade’s violet bell / for a harmless bloom” makes botanical knowledge part of the image; In gothic poetry, nightshade can suggest sleep, danger, or seductive grief
Additional Notes
Nightshade is a term that may not be familiar to many readers, especially in its literary context, as it evokes associations with toxicity and danger, as illustrated in the poem.; Found in the poem, Ode on Melancholy by John Keats
Also Known As
Belladonna Solanum Poisonous Nightshade
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