mole

mole

mole¹ [mōl]

n.

[ME < OE mal, akin to Goth mail < IE base * mai-, to spot > Gr miainein, to sully]

a small, congenital spot on the human skin, usually dark-colored and slightly raised, often hairy

mole² [mōl]

n.

[ME molle, akin to or < MDu mol, < Gmc * mug- > MOW², OHG mol: orig. sense, “mound maker”]

1. any of various small, burrowing insectivores (esp. family Talpidae) with small eyes and ears, shovel-like forefeet, and soft fur: moles live mainly underground

2. a spy who infiltrates and is assimilated into the ranks of an enemy intelligence agency, government staff, etc., usually long before engaging in any spying activities

mole³ [mōl]

n.

[Fr môle < LGr mōlos < L moles, a mass, dam, mole < IE * mo-lo- < base * mo-, to strive > Gr mōlos, effort, Ger müde, tired]

1. a barrier of stone, etc. built in the water to protect from the force of the waves, as a breakwater

2. a harbor or anchorage so formed or protected

mole⁴ [mōl]

n.

[Ger mol, short for molekulargewicht, molecular weight]

1. Chem. the quantity of a chemical substance having a weight in grams numerically equal to its molecular weight: one mole of a substance contains 6.022137 × 10²³ molecules

2. the amount of a substance containing the same number of units, including molecules, atoms, or ions, as there are atoms in 12 grams of pure carbon-12: a basic unit in the SI system: abbrev. mol

mole⁵ [mōl]

n.

[Fr môle < L mola, false conception, millstone: for IE base see MILL¹]

1. a marked growth of grapelike masses of fetal placental tissue

2. any of various fleshy or bloody masses in the uterus

mole⁶ [mō′lā]

n.

[MexSp]

any of various spicy Mexican sauces for meat or poultry, typically made with chilies, tomatoes, spices, and ground nuts; esp., such a sauce containing bitter chocolate