[glu.cose] n [F, modif. of Gk gleukos must, sweet wine; akin to Gk glykys sweet--more at dulcet] (1840) 1: an optically active sugar that has an aldehydic carbonyl group; esp: the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which carbohydrate is assimilated by animals
2: a light-colored syrup made from cornstarch