Word
lactose
Phoneticslac·tose
US/ˈɫæktoʊs/
UK/lˈæktəʊz/
Definition
n. a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products. Many people find it hard to digest, which can cause stomach problems.
n. a disaccharide sugar present in milk, consisting of glucose and galactose units. It is broken down in the digestive system by the enzyme lactase.
Examples
“This milk is special because it does not contain any lactose.”
“Many adults develop a sensitivity to lactose and choose plant-based alternatives like almond or soy milk.”
“The inability to produce sufficient lactase leads to the fermentation of undigested lactose in the colon, resulting in the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with intolerance.”
Examples
simple
“This milk is special because it does not contain any lactose.”
contextual
“Many adults develop a sensitivity to lactose and choose plant-based alternatives like almond or soy milk.”
complex
“The inability to produce sufficient lactase leads to the fermentation of undigested lactose in the colon, resulting in the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with intolerance.”
Usage
Uncountable in its chemical and dietary sense; often appears in the compound 'lactose intolerance'.
Etymology
Borrowed from French lactose, from Latin lac (“milk”) + -ose (derivation of glucose). Coined by French chemist Marcelin Berthelot.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lactose