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

Some of the acid-forming bacteria are able to develop a bitter principle, the milk retaining a pleasant odor and having the normal amount of acid, while the taste is intensely bitter.

From Outlines of dairy bacteriology A concise manual for the use of students in dairying by Hastings, Edwin George

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 bitter principle contained in the root, wood and bark was discovered by Blunse who named it samaderin; it is a white, crystalline, foliaceous substance, more soluble in water than in alcohol, fusible.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers

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 Fernie, William Thomas

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