molecule

From French molécule,[1] from New Latin molecula (“a molecule”),[2] diminutive of Latin moles (“a mass”); see mole + -cule.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈmɒl.ə.kjuːl/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈmɑl.ə.kjul/
• Hyphenation: mol‧e‧cule

molecule (plural molecules or moleculae or moleculæ)

1. (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.

   Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic molecule, consisting of a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom.

   • 2013 September-October, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist‎, Sigma Xi, →OCLC, archived from the original on 3 September 2013:

     The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the “water-oxidizing complex”, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom. This system splits water molecules and delivers some of their electrons to other molecules that help build up carbohydrates.

2. A tiny amount.

• See also Thesaurus:molecule
• (small amount): see also Thesaurus:modicum.

• macromolecule

• atom

• molecular

• IPA^(key): /ˌmoː.ləˈky.lə/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: mo‧le‧cu‧le

molecule n or f or m (plural moleculen or molecules, diminutive moleculetje n)

1. Alternative form of molecuul.

molecule f (plural moleculis)

1. molecule