aspartame

noun

Etymology: Commercial name, from aspartic. The -ame is perhaps because aspartame is an amide. Compare aspartamine.

1. An artificial sweetener, the methyl ester of a dipeptide formed from aspartic acid and phenylalanine, used in many processed foods and beverages.

   “Though reluctant to further expose him to aspartame, I had little trouble persuading Jamie's mother to carry out a double-blind trial in order to more rigorously document her son's aberrant response to aspartame.”

   “Caramel colors and aspartame Phosphoric acid, potassium Natural flavors, of course caffeine And now I'm jonesin' for MSG”