Found 2 items, similar to Bitter principles.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: bitter principle bitter principle n : any one of several hundred compounds having a bitter taste; not admitting of chemical classification
English → English (gcide) Definition: Bitter principles Bitter \Bit"ter\, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See Bite, v. t.] 1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes. [1913 Webster] 2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day. [1913 Webster] 3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant. [1913 Webster] It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. --Jer. ii. 19. [1913 Webster] 4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach. [1913 Webster] Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. --Col. iii. 19. [1913 Webster] 5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable. [1913 Webster] The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage. --Ex. i. 14. [1913 Webster] Bitter apple, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd. (Bot.) See Colocynth. Bitter cress (Bot.), a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp. Cardamine amara. Bitter earth (Min.), tale earth; calcined magnesia. Bitter principles (Chem.), a class of substances, extracted from vegetable products, having strong bitter taste but with no sharply defined chemical characteristics. Bitter salt, Epsom salts; magnesium sulphate. Bitter vetch (Bot.), a name given to two European leguminous herbs, Vicia Orobus and Ervum Ervilia. To the bitter end, to the last extremity, however calamitous. [1913 Webster] Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious. [1913 Webster]