molar
molar Lexical Profile
molar Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, flat-surfaced tooth located at the back of a mammal's mouth, used for crushing and grinding food.
"The dentist noticed a small cavity developing in her upper left molar during the routine checkup."
• adjective
Relating to the large grinding teeth at the back of a mammal's mouth, or capable of grinding.
"Fossilized remains of the jawbone revealed heavy wear on the molar surfaces from a diet of coarse grasses."
Relating to a solution that contains one mole of solute per liter of solution, or expressed in terms of moles per unit volume.
"The chemistry students prepared a one-molar solution of hydrochloric acid for the titration experiment."
Relating to a large mass or body of matter as a whole, rather than to its individual atoms, molecules, or smaller components.
"In behavioral psychology, researchers often distinguish between molar actions and fine-grained molecular movements."
• Rhymes for molar
Word Origin & Etymology
The anatomical sense derives from Late Middle English via Latin 'molaris', from 'mola' meaning 'millstone', referencing the grinding function of the back teeth. The chemical and physical senses derive separately from the Latin 'moles', meaning 'mass' or 'bulk'.