molar

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   one of the broad, flat teeth at the back of the mouth, used for grinding food

   The dentist found a small cavity in her lower molar.

2. 2
   adj

   relating to a mole, the standard scientific unit for an amount of substance

   The chemist calculated the compound's molar mass.

3. 3
   adj

   describing a solution that contains one mole of solute per litre

   The protocol calls for a one-molar solution of sodium chloride.

The dental word comes through Middle English and Latin molaris, "millstone tooth," from mola, "millstone," likening the tooth to a grinding stone. The chemistry adjective was formed independently from mole, the unit of amount of substance, + -ar.

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