saccharin Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a crystalline substance 500 times sweeter than sugar; used as a calorie-free sweetener

WordNet

Sac"cha*rin noun
Etymology
F., from L. saccharon sugar.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) A bitter white crystalline substance obtained from the saccharinates and regarded as the lactone of saccharinic acid; -- so called because formerly supposed to be isomeric with cane sugar (saccharose).

Webster 1913