nightshade \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun Etymology: Middle English nighteschede, nightschode, from Old English nihtscada, probably from niht night + sceadu shade; akin to Middle Dutch nachtschade nightshade, Old High German nahtscato — more at shade 1.: any plant of the genus Solanum: as a.: black nightshade b.: bittersweet 2a 2.: belladonna 1 3.: henbane 1a