levorotatory

[ lee-vuh-roh-tuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

, Optics, Chemistry, Biochemistry.

1. turning to the left, as the rotation to the left of the plane of polarization of light in certain crystals and compounds. : l-

levorotatory

/ lē′və-rō′tə-tôr′ē /

1. Relating to a substance that causes levorotation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of levorotatory¹

First recorded in 1870–75; levo- + rotatory

Example Sentences

Sucrose is dextrorotatory, but since fructose has a greater specific rotatory action to the left than glucose has to the right, the mixture resulting from the hydrolysis of sucrose is levorotatory.

From Project Gutenberg

It is levorotatory or dextrorotatory according to the temperature and concentration.

From Project Gutenberg

The gums are translucent, amorphous substances, whose solutions in water are levorotatory.

From Project Gutenberg

The glucosides, after extraction and purification by recrystallization, are generally colorless, crystalline solids, having a bitter taste and levorotatory optical activity.

From Project Gutenberg

It is levorotatory, and when hydrolyzed by acids or by the enzyme inulinase yields fructose; in fact, inulin bears the same relation to fructose that starch does to glucose.

From Project Gutenberg