Word Study
lactose
CIDE DICTIONARY
lactose, n.
- The main sugar present in milk, called also
sugar of milk ormilk sugar . When isolated pure it is obtained crystalline; it is separable from the whey by evaporation and crystallization. It is a disaccharide with the formulaC12H22O11 , being chemically4-( . It has a slightly sweet taste, is dextrorotary, and is much less soluble in water than either cane sugar or glucose. Formerly called lactin . When hydrolyzed it yields glucose and galactose. In cells it may be hydrolyzed by the enzyme1913 Webster] - See Galactose. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
lactose, n. Chem. a sugar that occurs in milk, and is less sweet than sucrose.
Etymology
as LACTO-
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