A powerful drug made from the deadly nightshade plant that dilates the pupils of the eye and reduces muscle contractions; used in medicine and eye examinations.
Named after Atropos, one of the three Fates in Greek mythology who cuts the thread of life. It comes from the poisonous plant genus that was named after her.
During the Renaissance, Italian women used atropine in eye drops to dilate their pupils (they called it 'belladonna,' meaning 'beautiful lady') because large pupils were considered attractive!
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