How the French language influenced English with the word 'molecule'

'Molecule' is a word borrowed from French 'molécule'. The word entered the English language some time around 1794.

molecule [noun] [1794]

• the smallest particle of a substance that retains all the properties of the substance and is composed of one or more at...
• a tiny bit
• particle

See 'molecule' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: French 'molécule' from New Latin 'molecula' diminutive of Latin 'moles' mass

See more loan words from 1700s.