Etymology

lactulose

L1A1C3T1U1L1O1S1E1

Today it means: A synthetic disaccharide C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ consisting of galactose and fructose units, used as a laxative for chronic constipation and as an acidifier to reduce blood ammonia levels causing neurological symptoms in advanced liver disease. It is used in solution for oral or rectal administration. Full definition →

English (cell)ulose ← French cellulose ← Proto-Indo-European *h₃édosder.?
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The story

  1. Englishlact-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*ḱel-
  3. Latincella
  4. Latincellula
  5. Frenchcellule
  6. Proto-Indo-European*h₃ed-
  7. Proto-Indo-European*h₃édosder.?
  8. Frenchcellulose
  9. English(cell)ulose
  10. English todaylactulose

From lact- + (cell)ulose.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.