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Glite Dictionary
bitter principle

bitter principle

8.9
A plant chemical with a very bitter taste used in some medicines
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : principio amargo
  • The tonic properties of gentian are due to a bitter principle it contains.

Examples

  • Certain medicinal herbs owe their effects to the presence of a bitter principle in their leaves.

  • The bitter principle in coffee can enhance its flavor.

  • Scientists have isolated the bitter principle from several plants used in traditional remedies.

  • Many plants produce bitter principles as a defense mechanism.

  • The researcher isolated a bitter principle from the herb that is known to enhance flavor in certain dishes.

  • Many plants contain a bitter principle that can deter herbivores from eating them.

  • The bitter principle in this tea can help improve your appetite by stimulating digestion.

Surface Forms

bitter principle singular
bitter principles plural

Morphology

bitter + principle

The phrase is compositionally built from 'bitter' (having an acrid taste) plus 'principle' in the technical/older sense of an active constituent or constituent substance, so the overall meaning is derivable if the learner knows that specialized sense. However, the sense of 'principle' as a chemical constituent is less common for B1 learners (who know 'principle' mainly as a 'rule'), making the interpretation non-obvious without exposure or domain knowledge.

Etymology

Bitter principle comes from old medicine, where the main 'active part' of a plant was called a principle and often tasted very bitter. So, bitter principle means the chemical part of a plant that gives it a 'bitter' taste and makes the herb work.