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

In the year 1821, several chemists isolated from coffee a bitter principle, of peculiar properties, which was named caffein.

From Joseph Smith as Scientist A Contribution to Mormon Philosophy by Widtsoe, John Andreas

A product, used as a substitute for or an adulterant of coffee, containing a bitter principle, and made from the root of the endive and other similar plants.

From The Wonder Island Boys: Exploring the Island by Finlay, Roger Thompson

It belongs to the holly family, but contains a bitter principle similar to, if not identical with, theine, or the alkaloid found in tea and coffee.”

From The Western World Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North and South America by Kingston, William Henry Giles

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 greater Skullcap contains, in common with most other plants of the same order, a volatile oil, tannin, fat, some bitter principle, sugar, and cellulose.

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