sapogenin

noun

sa·​po·​ge·​nin ˌsa-pə-ˈje-nən  sə-ˈpä-jə-nən 

: a nonsugar portion of a saponin that is typically obtained by hydrolysis, has either a complex terpenoid or a steroidal structure, and in the latter case forms a practicable starting point in the synthesis of steroid hormones

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary saponin + -genin (compound formed from another compound)

First Known Use

circa 1862, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sapogenin

noun

sa·​po·​ge·​nin ˌsap-ə-ˈjen-ən  sə-ˈpäj-ə-nən 

: a nonsugar portion of a saponin that is typically obtained by hydrolysis, has either a complex terpenoid or a steroid structure and in the latter case forms a practicable starting point in the synthesis of steroid hormones