First Known Use: 1831
Dictionary
saponin
noun sa·po·nin \ˈsa-pə-nən, sə-ˈpō-\
Definition of SAPONIN
: 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
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Origin of SAPONIN
French saponine, from Latin sapon-, sapo
Medical Dictionary
saponin
noun sa·po·nin \ˈsap-ə-nən, sə-ˈpō-\
Medical Definition of SAPONIN
: any of various mostly toxic glucosides that occur in plants (as 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
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