MOLECULE

atom, molecule, particle, corpuscle, mote, speck

(noun) (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything

molecule

(noun) (physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

molecule (plural molecules or moleculæ)

(chemistry) 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.

Synonyms

• See also molecule

• (small amount): see also modicum.

Hyponyms

• macromolecule

Meronyms

• atom

Source: Wiktionary

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Mol"e*cule, n. Etym: [Dim. fr. L. moles a mass: cf. F. molécule. See 3d Mole.]

1. One of the very small invisible particles of which all matter is supposed to consist.

2. (Physics)

Definition: The smallest part of any substance which possesses the characteristic properties and qualities of that substance, and which can exist alone in a free state.

3. (Chem.)

Definition: A group of atoms so united and combined by chemical affinity that they form a complete, integrated whole, being the smallest portion of any particular compound that can exist in a free state; as, a molecule of water consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Cf. Atom.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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