molecule

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Latin mōlēs Proto-Indo-European *-lós Proto-Indo-European *-elós Proto-Italic *-elos Proto-Italic *-kelos New Latin -cula New Latin moleculalbor. French moléculebor. English molecule Borrowed from French molécule, from New Latin molecula (“a molecule”), diminutive of Latin moles (“a mass”).

1. 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.”

   “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.