ˈsȯrˌbōs also -ōz noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary sorb itol + -ose
: a sweet crystalline unfermentable sugar C 6 H 12 O 6 of the ketohexose class existing as two optical isomers ; especially : the levorotatory l -form obtained from sorbitol by fermentation with an acetobacter ( Acetobacter xylinum ) and used chiefly in making ascorbic acid