ˈ ̷ ̷_bəˌtȯl, -tōl noun
( -s )
Etymology: sorb (II) + -itol
: a crystalline faintly sweet hexahydroxy alcohol CH 2 OH(CHOH) 4 CH 2 OH that occurs especially in mountain ash fruits, may be obtained by reduction of l -sorbose but is made industrially by reduction of d -glucose, and is used chiefly as a humectant and softener and in making sorbitan derivatives and ascorbic acid — called also d -glucitol; compare dulcitol , mannitol