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

It contains tannin, and a particular bitter principle.

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

The peel furnishes hesperidin, a volatile oil, gallic acid, and a bitter principle.

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

The bark and leaves have an intensely bitter principle, similar to quinine and equally efficacious.

From The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits by Parsons, Mary Elizabeth

The chemical constituents of Succory and Chicory are—in addition to those ordinarily appertaining to vegetables—inulin, and a special bitter principle not named.

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

The bitter principle, known as gentianin, is a glucoside, soluble in water and alcohol.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various