glucose

Ball-and-stick model of a glucose molecule (in one of its cyclic, pyranose forms).

Meaning

A simple monosaccharide (sugar) with a molecular formula of C₆H₁₂O₆; it is a principle source of energy for cellular metabolism.

Through French, from Ancient Greek γλεῦκος; note: -ose comes from glucose, not the other way round. In other words, the view of the word glucose as gluco- + -ose is a reanalysis rather than a historical etymology. This is unusual for being a reanalysis that works completely, that is, without any leftover nonsense syllables (such as the ham- in reanalyzed hamburger).

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