alkaloid

adj. (Chemistry) resembling an alkali; alkaline

n. any of a class of organic compounds which contain nitrogen and have a bitter taste (Chemistry)

An alkaloid is, strictly speaking, a naturally occurring amine produced by a plant, but amines produced by animals and fungi are also called alkaloids. Many alkaloids have pharmacological effects on humans and other animals. The name derives from the word alkaline; originally, the term was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base. Alkaloids are usually derivatives of amino acids, and many have a bitter taste. They are found as secondary metabolites in plants (e.g. potatoes and tomatoes), animals (e.g. shellfish) and fungi. Many alkaloids can be purified from crude extracts by acid-base extraction. While many alkaloids are poisonous, some are used medicinally as analgesics (pain relievers) or anaesthetics, particularly morphine and codeine, and for other uses.
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Alkaloid /al·ka·loid/ any of a group of organic basic substances found in plants, many of which are pharmacologically active, e.g. [more]Alkaloid - Community and Resources

Noun
1. natural nitrogen-containing bases found in plants
(hypernym) organic compound
(hyponym) atropine

n. alkaloid, any of a class of organic compounds which contain nitrogen and have a bitter taste (Chemistry)

adj. alkaloid, resembling an alkali (Chemistry)