mole 1
/mohl/ , n.
1. any of various small insectivorous mammals, esp. of the family Talpidae, living chiefly underground, and having velvety fur, very small eyes, and strong forefeet.
2. a spy who becomes part of and works from within the ranks of an enemy governmental staff or intelligence agency. Cf. double agent .
3. Mach. a large, powerful machine for boring through earth or rock, used in the construction of tunnels.
[ 1350-1400; ME molle; akin to MD, MLG mol ]
mole 2
/mohl/ , n.
a small, congenital spot or blemish on the human skin, usually of a dark color, slightly elevated, and sometimes hairy; nevus.
[ bef. 1000; ME; OE mal; c. OHG meil spot, Goth mail wrinkle ]
mole 3
/mohl/ , n.
1. a massive structure, esp. of stone, set up in the water, as for a breakwater or a pier.
2. an anchorage or harbor protected by such a structure.
[ 1540-50; moles mass, dam, mole ]
mole 4
/mohl/ , n. Chem.
the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; gram molecule.
Also, mol .
[ 1900-05; Mol, short for Molekül MOLECULE ]
mole 5
/mohl/ , n. Pathol.
a fleshy mass in the uterus formed by a hemorrhagic dead ovum.
[ 1605-15; mola, special use of mola millstone ]
mole 6
/moh"lay/ ; Sp. /maw"le/ , n. Mexican Cookery.
a spicy sauce flavored with chocolate, usually served with turkey or chicken.
[ 1925-30; molli sauce; cf. GUACAMOLE ]