Definition of LACTOSE

lactose

Meanings

Plural: lactoses

Noun

  • a sugar comprising one glucose molecule linked to a galactose molecule; occurs only in milk
    • "cow's milk contains about 4.7% lactose"
  • The disaccharide sugar of milk and dairy products, C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁, a product of glucose and galactose used as a food and in medicinal compounds.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from French lactose, from Latin lac (“milk”) + -ose (derivation of glucose). Coined by French chemist Marcelin Berthelot.

Synonyms

lactobiose, milk sugar

Scrabble Score: 9

lactose is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
lactose is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
lactose is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

lactose is a valid Words With Friends word