noun

molecule

molecule

A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms.

A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms.

Molecules are the smallest particles of a substance.

Molecules are the smallest particles of a substance.

((a molecule)) a group of atoms bonded together A water molecule is very small.

Synonyms: particle, atom (in a general sense)

From French `molécule`, from Latin `moles` (mass) + diminutive suffix `-cula`. Literally 'a small mass'.

Think of a 'mole' (the unit in chemistry) and the suffix '-cule' meaning small, like in 'minuscule'.

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