Mannitol

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  mannitol \man"ni*tol\, n. [Mannite + -ol.]
     1. (Chem.) A white crystalline hexose
        ({HO.CH2.(CHOH)4.CH2.OH}) of a sweet taste obtained from a
        so-called manna, the dried sap of the flowering ash
        ({Fraxinus ornus}); -- called also {mannite}, and {hydroxy
        hexane}. Cf. {Dulcite}. It is used in pharmacy as


        excipient and diluent for solids and liquids. It is also
        used as a food additive for anti-caking properties, or as
        a sweetener, and, illegally, to "cut" (dilute) illegal
        drugs such as cocaine or heroin.
  
     Syn: D-mannitol; manna sugar; cordycepic acid; Diosmol;
          Mannicol; Mannidex; Osmiktrol; Osmosal.
          [1913 Webster +PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  mannitol
       n : a diuretic (trade name Osmitrol) used to promote the
           excretion of urine [syn: {Osmitrol}]