raffinose

noun

raf·​fi·​nose ˈra-fə-ˌnōs 

-ˌnōz

: a crystalline slightly sweet sugar C₁₈H₃₂O₁₆ obtained commercially from cottonseed meal and present in many plant products

Examples of raffinose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Passing gas can be a side effect of eating beans, thanks to the complex sugar raffinose, which is plentiful in the legumes. — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 18 May 2026

Cabbage Raw cabbage contains the complex sugar raffinose and sulfur-containing compounds that can increase gas during digestion. — Lindsey Desoto, Health, 6 Jan. 2026

Most legumes — including lentils, nuts, and peas — are high in fiber, along with sugars your body can’t digest properly, like raffinose and stachyose, according to a study published in the Nutritional Journal. — Men's Health, 1 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French, from raffiner to refine, from re- + affiner to make fine, from a- ad- (from Latin ad-) + fin fine

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for raffinose

• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos
• anthracnose
• bottlenose
• buffaloes
• bungalows
• calicoes
• cameos
• commandos
• conversos
• decompose

Medical Definition

raffinose

noun

raf·​fi·​nose ˈraf-ə-ˌnōs, -ˌnōz 

: a crystalline sugar C₁₈H₃₂O₁₆ obtained commercially from cottonseed meal and present in sugar beets and many plant products

called also melitose