The dielectric relaxation strength, Delta epsilon(JG), the relaxation rate, f (m,JG) and the distribution parameter, alpha(JG), of the faster relaxation process in D-sorbitol have been studied as a function of temperature and the cooling rate. Amongst these, f (m,JG) and alpha(JG) of the glass and the supercooled liquid change smoothly with the temperature, T, but Delta epsilon(JG) of the glassy state increases slowly on heating until the glass-softening range is reached and thereafter it increases rapidly at T above the glass-softening temperature, T-g. Thus its plot against T has an elbow-shape, remarkably similar to that observed for the volume, enthalpy and entropy. The derivative ( dDelta epsilon(JG)/dT) increases relatively abruptly at T-g like the thermal expansion coefficient and the heat capacity of a glass. Thus Delta epsilon(JG) is a function of the state's entropy and volume. The distribution of relaxation times became narrower as T was increased, and f (m,JG) increased according to the Arrhenius equation, f (m,JG) = 2.992x10(14) exp [-5.312x10(4)/RT], where R = 8.314 J(K mol)(-1). It is deduced that f (m,JG) increases on structural relaxation of D-sorbitol. The results indicate that the relaxation mechanism involves motions of segments of the D-sorbitol molecules or of the whole molecule in local regions. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.