Săp'o-nīne, n.

n. [Fr. saponine, saponarine, from Lat. sapo, saponis, soap; N. Lat. saponaria, soap-wort.] (Chem.) A peculiar principle obtained from the root of Saponaria officinalis, or soapwort. It is white, amorphous, soluble in water, and its solution froths, when agitated, like a solution of soap.