molecule etymology

Etymology:

• Latin: molecula ("small mass")
• Late Latin: molecula ("small mass of matter")

Meaning:

A molecule is the smallest particle of a compound that retains the chemical identity of the compound. Molecules consist of atoms that are held together by chemical bonds.

Origin:

The term "molecule" was first used in the 17th century by the French physicist Pierre Gassendi. Gassendi used the term to refer to the smallest particles of matter that were not further divisible. In the 18th century, the term was adopted by chemists to refer to the smallest particles of a compound that still possessed the chemical properties of the compound.

History:

The concept of molecules has evolved over time as scientists have gained a better understanding of the structure and properties of matter. In the 19th century, scientists began to realize that molecules could be composed of different types of atoms and that the arrangement of these atoms could affect the properties of the molecule. In the 20th century, scientists discovered that molecules could also be composed of multiple atoms of the same element.

Today, the concept of molecules is central to chemistry and biology. Molecules are the building blocks of all matter and are responsible for the properties and interactions of materials.

molecule relate terms

• mole

  Etymology The word mole comes from the Latin word mola which means mass or lump

• macromolecule

  Etymology The word macromolecule is derived from the Greek words makros meaning lar

• macro

  Etymology The word macro is derived from the Greek word makros meaning large or l

• molecule

  Etymology Latin molecula small mass Late Latin molecula small mass of matter

• atom

  Etymology The word atom is derived from the Greek word átomos which literally mean

• particle

  Etymology Late Latin particula diminutive of pars part Meaning A minute portio

• speck

  Etymology Old English specca piece of fat lard bacon Proto Germanic spekkaz Proto

• grain

  Etymology The word grain ultimately derives from the Proto Indo European root gʰer

• material

  Etymology Middle English materiale from Latin materiālis from materia matter M

• radical

  Etymology Derived from the Latin word radix meaning root Meaning Fundamental

• chain

  Etymology Chain derives from the Old English word cene meaning bond fetter or leas

• group

  Etymology The word group comes from the Old French word groupe which in turn comes f

• moat

  Etymology Old English mōt a meeting Old French mote a hill Latin moenia city wa

• unit

  Etymology The word unit comes from the Late Latin word ūnītas meaning oneness u