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