Smĭl'a-çine, n.

n. [Fr. smilacine, from Lat. smilax, Gr. σμίλαξ, bindweed, N. Lat. smilax sarsaparilla, sarsaparilla, q. v.] (Chem.) A white crystallizable compound, considered to be the active principle of the officinal species of Smilax, or sarsaparilla. It is tasteless when solid, but bitter in solution.