saponin

[ sap-uh-nin ]

/ ˈsæp ə nɪn /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of saponin

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

Words nearby saponin

saponaceous, saponaria, saponification, saponification number, saponify, saponin, saponite, sapor, sap orchard, saporific, saporous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use saponin in a sentence

He also found saponin in the seeds, but it exists in much greater quantity in the trunk.
The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines|T. H. Pardo de Tavera
It contains a saponin and an acrid resin, and is said to possess expectorant, diaphoretic and—in large doses—emetic properties.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various
It is true that Boehm whom Hartung cites, found saponin to be irritating, but Boehm states that it required 100 mg.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various
Digitonin and digito-saponin are glucosides of this type which are found in the extracts from various species of Digitalis.
The Chemistry of Plant Life|Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher

Saponin is found in both of these plants, as well as in many other plants of the leguminosæ.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 623, December 10, 1887|Various

British Dictionary definitions for saponin

saponin

/ (ˈsæpənɪn) /

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

Medical definitions for saponin

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.

Scientific definitions for saponin

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.