What does the suffix "-ose" refer to in medical terminology?

The suffix “-ose” in medical terminology is used to indicate a characteristic of something, often pertaining to sugar or relating to a full or rich state. It is commonly applied in the names of sugars, such as glucose or fructose, where it signifies that the substance is a sugar. The choice of this suffix reflects that the word describes something having certain qualities or characteristics, aligning with the meaning of "pertaining to."

While the other suffixes listed have specific meanings, such as indicating an abnormal condition or weakness, those definitions do not apply in this context where “-ose” is specifically associated with its inherent properties or qualities.