saponin

[sap-uh-nin]

noun Biochemistry.

any of a group of amorphous glycosides of terpenes and steroids, occurring in many plants, characterized by an ability to form emulsions and to foam in aqueous solutions, and used as detergents.

Origin of saponin

1825–35; < French saponine < Latin sāpōn- (stem of sāpō) soap + French -ine -in²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for saponin

Historical Examples of saponin

The list42 of plants in which saponin has been discovered is given in the note.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 623, December 10, 1887
Various
It may be readily distinguished from saponin by treating a watery solution with sulphuric or hydrochloric acid.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection
Alexander Wynter Blyth
The systolic stillness of the heart is also removed by substances which paralyse the heart, as delphinin, saponin, and apomorphin.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection
Alexander Wynter Blyth
The saponin separated from Saponaria, and from the corn cockle will be here described.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection
Alexander Wynter Blyth
A solution of saponin exposed to the air gets turbid, and develops carbon dioxide; not unfrequently the solution becomes mouldy.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection
Alexander Wynter Blyth

British Dictionary definitions for saponin

saponin

noun

any of a group of plant glycosides with a steroid structure that foam when shaken and are used in detergents

Word Origin for saponin

C19: from French saponine, from Latin sāpō soap

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

saponin in Medicine

saponin

[săp′ə-nĭn, sə-pō′-]

Any of various plant glucosides that form soapy lathers when mixed and agitated with water, used in detergents, foaming agents, and emulsifiers.

saponin in Science

saponin

[săp′ə-nĭn, sə-pō′-]

Any of various plant glucosides that form soapy lathers when mixed and agitated with water. They are used in detergents, foaming agents, and emulsifiers. Some saponins, such as digitalis, affect the heart and have been used as medicines and arrow poisons by indigenous peoples of Africa and South America.