molecule

Meaning

Noun

• The smallest particle of a specific element or compound that retains the chemical properties of that element or compound; two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
• A tiny amount.

Related

Narrower meaning words

• macromolecule

Origin

• Summary: from French molécule, from New Latin molecula, diminutive of Latin moles; see mole + -cule.
• French molécule (1674, Pierre Le Gallois, Conversations tirées de l'Académie de M. l'abbé Bourdelot, contenant diverses recherches et observations physiques) cited in Quemada, Bernard (1965), Datations et documents lexicographiques (tome 3).
• Medieval Latin molecula (early XVII cent., Pierre Gassendi), cited in Le Grand Robert de la Langue Française (2e édn) tome 6. . pp. 522–23. Diminutive of moles