SAPONIN


Meaning of SAPONIN in English

n.

Pronunciation: ' sa-p ə -n ə n, s ə - ' p ō -

Function: noun

Etymology: French saponine, from Latin sapon-, sapo

Date: 1831

: any of various mostly toxic glucosides that occur in plants (as soapwort or soapbark) and are characterized by the property of producing a soapy lather especially : a hygroscopic amorphous saponin mixture used especially as a foaming and emulsifying agent and detergent

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.