Definition of LACTOSE

lactose

Plural: lactoses

Noun

  • A disaccharide sugar present in milk.
  • 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.

Examples

  • Playing LACTOSE for a bingo felt like a sweet victory against his dairy-averse opponent.

Origin / Etymology

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

Synonyms

milk sugar, lactobiose

Scrabble Score: 9

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

Words With Friends Score: 11

lactose: valid Words With Friends Word