n. 1 a simple sugar containing six carbon atoms, found mainly in its dextrorotatory form (see DEXTROSE), which is an important energy source in living organisms and obtainable from some carbohydrates by hydrolysis. °Chem. formula: C
[ 6 ]
H
[ 12 ]
O
[ 6 ]
. 2 a syrup containing glucose sugars from the incomplete hydrolysis of starch.
[ F f. Gk gleukos sweet wine, rel. to glukus sweet ]