monosodium glutamate

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

monosodium glutamate
    n 1: white crystalline compound used as a food additive to
         enhance flavor; often used in Chinese cooking; "food
         manufacturers sometimes list MSG simply as `artificial
         flavors' in ingredient lists" [syn: {monosodium glutamate},
         {MSG}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

monosodium glutamate \monosodium glutamate\ n.
   The monosodium salt of the natural amino acid L-glutamine
   ({C5H8NNaO4}), used as a food additive to enhance flavor;
   abbreviated MSG. It is usually marketed as the monhydrate
   ({C5H8NNaO4.H2O}). It is commmonly used in Chinese-American
   restaurants, and has been identified as a main cause of
   Chinese restaurant syndrome.
   [WordNet 1.5]