erythritol

[ ih-rith-ri-tawl, -tol ]
/ ɪˈrɪθ rɪˌtɔl, -ˌtɒl /

noun Chemistry, Pharmacology.

a white, crystalline, water-soluble, sweet-tasting, tetrahydroxyl compound, C4H10O4, related to the carbohydrates, obtained from certain lichens and used for coronary vasodilation and in the treatment of hypertension.

Origin of erythritol

First recorded in 1890–95; erythrite + -ol1

Words nearby erythritol

erythredema, erythremia, erythremic myelosis, erythrism, erythrite, erythritol, erythro-, erythroblast, erythroblastemia, erythroblastopenia, erythroblastosis

British Dictionary definitions for erythritol

erythritol

erythrite

/ (ɪˈrɪθrɪˌtɒl) /

noun

a sweet crystalline compound extracted from certain algae and lichens and used in medicine to dilate the blood vessels of the heart; 1,2,3,4-butanetetrol. Formula: C 4 H 10 O 4