Molecule

Molecule
Molecule Mol"e*cule, n. [Dim. fr. L. moles a mass: cf. F. mol['e]cule. See 3d {Mole}.] 1. One of the very small invisible particles of which all ordinary matter is supposed to consist. [1913 Webster]

2. (Physics) 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. [1913 Webster]

3. (Chem.) 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}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • MOLÉCULE — Le terme «molécule» est un concept opératoire fondamental de la pensée réductionniste. C’est un objet théorique au moyen duquel on peut dire, paraphrasant Jean Perrin, que le visible complexe de la matière se trouve représenté par de l’invisible… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Molecule — Molécule Représentation 3D d une molécule de saccharose. Une molécule est un assemblage d atomes dont la composition est donnée par sa formule chimique. Le nom molécule provient du nom latin molecula, diminutif du nom latin moles, se traduisant… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • molecule — (n.) 1794, extremely minute particle, from Fr. molécule (1670s), from Mod.L. molecula, dim. of L. moles mass, barrier (see MOLE (Cf. mole) (3)). A vague meaning at first; the vogue for the word (used until late 18c. only in Latin form) can be… …   Etymology dictionary

  • molecule — [mäl′ə kyo͞ol΄] n. [Fr molécule < ModL molecula, dim. of L moles, a mass: see MOLE3] 1. the smallest particle of an element or compound that can exist in the free state and still retain the characteristics of the element or compound: the… …   English World dictionary

  • molecule — atom, *particle, corpuscle …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • molecule — [n] smallest part bit, fragment, iota, jot, minim, mite, modicum, mote, ounce, particle, ray, speck, unit; concepts 393,831 …   New thesaurus

  • molecule — ► NOUN ▪ a group of atoms chemically bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. ORIGIN French, from Latin molecula small mass , from moles mass …   English terms dictionary

  • Molecule — 3D (left and center) and 2D (right) representations of the terpenoid molecule atisane A molecule (pronounced  …   Wikipedia

  • Molécule — Représentation schématique 3D d une molécule de saccharose …   Wikipédia en Français

  • molecule — /mol euh kyoohl /, n. 1. Chem., Physics. the smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more like atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound. 2. Chem. a quantity of a substance, the weight of… …   Universalium

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