Saponin

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Saponin \Sap"o*nin\, n. [L. sapo, -onis soap: cf. F. saponine.]
     (Chem.)
     A poisonous glucoside found in many plants, as in the root of
     soapwort ({Saponaria officinalis}), in the bark of soap bark
     ({Quillaja saponaria}), etc. It is extracted as a white
     amorphous powder, which produces a soapy lather in solution,


     and produces a local anaesthesia. It is used as a detergent
     and for emulsifying oils. Formerly called also {struthiin},
     {quillaiin}, {senegin}, {polygalic acid}, etc. By extension,
     any one of a group of related bodies of which saponin proper
     is the type.
     [1913 Webster + PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  saponin
       n : any of various plant glucosides that form soapy lathers when
           mixed and agitated with water; used in detergents and
           foaming agents and emulsifiers