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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bitter principle

Chemically, this Water Pimpernel contains some tannin, and a special bitter principle; whilst, in common with most of the Cruciferous plants, it is endowed with a pungent volatile oil, and some sulphur.

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

Four species have been shown by M. G. Bertrand to contain no caffeine at all, but instead a considerable quantity of a bitter principle.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various

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

From the leaves are obtainable a colouring matter named ilixanthin, ilicic acid, and a bitter principle, ilicin, which has been variously described by different analytical chemists.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various

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

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

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