glyceraldehyde

noun glyc·er·al·de·hyde \ ˌgli-sə-ˈral-də-ˌhīd \

Definition of glyceraldehyde

: a sweet crystalline compound C₃H₆O₃ that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism by the breakdown of sugars and that yields glycerol on reduction

Origin and Etymology of glyceraldehyde

glyceric acid + aldehyde

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1882

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

glyceraldehyde

noun glyc·er·al·de·hyde \ ˌglis-ə-ˈral-də-ˌhīd \

medical Definition of glyceraldehyde

: a sweet crystalline compound C₃H₆O₃ that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism by the breakdown of sugars and that yields glycerol on reduction