MOLECULE


Meaning of MOLECULE in English

ˈmälə̇ˌkyül, -lēˌ- noun

( -s )

Etymology: French molécule, from New Latin molecula, diminutive of Latin moles mass — more at mole (structure)

1.

a. : a unit of matter that is the smallest particle of an element or chemical combination of atoms (as a compound) capable of retaining chemical identity with the substance in mass

a few elements (as helium and neon) have monatomic molecules

the viruses are one kind of giant molecules — Linus Pauling

— see avogadro's law ; compare ion , radical 5

b. : a quantity proportional to the molecular weight ; especially : mole VII

2. : a tiny bit : fraction , fragment

every tone … is a molecule of music — Henry Miller

a molecule of political honesty — Time

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.