Car`bo*hy"drate (?), n. [Carbon + hydrate.] Physiol. Chem.
One of a group of compounds including the sugars, starches, and gums, which contain six (or some multiple of six) carbon atoms, united with a variable number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, but with the two latter always in proportion as to form water; as dextrose, C6H12O6.
© Webster 1913.