Quăs'sīne or Quăs'sīte, n.

n. [Fr. quassine. See QUASSIA.] (Chem.) The bitter principle of Quassia amara of Central America, and Q. (Picræna) excelsa of Jamaica.

☞ This substance, by the aid of water, crystallizes in very small, white prisms. Its taste is intensely bitter, but it is destitute of smell.