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saponin

noun sa·po·nin \ ˈsa-pə-nən , sə-ˈpō- \

Definition of saponin

: any of various mostly toxic glucosides that occur in plants (such 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

Recent Examples of saponin from the Web

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Origin and Etymology 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

Learn More about saponin

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about saponin

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