from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Erythrite \E*ryth"rite\, n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red.]
1. (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance, {C4H6.(OH)4},
of a sweet, cooling taste, extracted from certain lichens,
and obtained by the decomposition of erythrin; -- called
also {erythrol}, {erythroglucin}, {erythromannite},
{pseudorcin}, {cobalt bloom}, and under the name {phycite}
obtained from the alga {Protococcus vulgaris}. It is a
tetrabasic alcohol, corresponding to glycol and glycerin.