Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

(Chemistry) A poisonous glucoside found in many plants, as in the root of soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), in the bark of soap bark (Quillaja saponaria), etc. It is extracted as a white amorphous powder, which produces a soapy lather in solution, and produces a local anaesthesia. It is used as a detergent and for emulsifying oils. Formerly called also struthiin, quillaiin, senegin, polygalic acid, etc. By extension, any one of a group of related bodies of which saponin proper is the type.