bitter principle

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. any of several hundred natural compounds, usually of vegetable origin, having a bitter taste, and not admitting of any chemical classification.

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bitter principle British  

noun

1. any of various bitter-tasting substances, such as aloin, usually extracted from plants

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Etymology

Origin of bitter principle

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bitter principle

There is also present a minute quantity of a bitter principle.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

Some of the acid-forming bacteria are able to develop a bitter principle, the milk retaining a pleasant odor and having the normal amount of acid, while the taste is intensely bitter.

From Outlines of dairy bacteriology A concise manual for the use of students in dairying by Hastings, Edwin George

Quass′ine, Quass′ite, the bitter principle of quassia-wood, the Bitter-wood of the West Indies.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

All parts of the plant contain chemically tannin, with a special bitter principle, and free mucilage; so that the herb is to be considered emollient, demulcent, and tonic.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas

Each of the Horehounds is a labiate plant; and this, the water variety, bears flesh coloured flowers, whilst containing a volatile oil, a resin, a bitter principle, and tannin.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas