sorbitol

[sawr-bi-tawl, -tol]

noun Biochemistry.

a white, crystalline, sweet, water-soluble powder, C6H8(OH)6, occurring in cherries, plums, pears, seaweed, and many berries, obtained by the breakdown of dextrose and used as a sugar substitute for diabetics and in the manufacture of vitamin C, synthetic resins, candy, varnishes, etc.; sorbol.

Origin of sorbitol

First recorded in 1890–95; sorb¹ + -itol

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for sorbitol

sorbitol

noun

a white water-soluble crystalline alcohol with a sweet taste, found in certain fruits and berries and manufactured by the catalytic hydrogenation of sucrose: used as a sweetener (E420) and in the manufacture of ascorbic acid and synthetic resins. Formula: C 6 H 8 (OH) 6

Word Origin for sorbitol

C19: from sorb + -itol

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sorbitol in Medicine

sorbitol

[sôr′bĭ-tôl′, -tōl′]

n.

A white, sweetish, crystalline alcohol occurring naturally or prepared synthetically, used as a sugar substitute for people with diabetes.

sorbitol in Science

sorbitol

[sôr′bĭ-tôl′, -tōl′]

A white, sweetish, crystalline alcohol found in various berries and fruits or prepared synthetically. It is used as a flavoring agent, a sugar substitute for people with diabetes, and a moisturizer in cosmetics and other products. Chemical formula: C6H14O6.