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• moll
  moll

  noun

  gun moll.
• Moll
  Moll

  noun

  a female given name.

moll

¹ American  

[mol] / mɒl /

noun

Slang.

1. gun moll.

2. Archaic. a prostitute.

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moll ² American  

[mawl] / mɔl /

adjective

German.

1. (in music) written in a minor key; minor.

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Moll ³ American  

[mol] / mɒl /

noun

1. a female given name.

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moll British  

/ mɒl /

noun

1. the female accomplice of a gangster

2. a prostitute

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Etymology

Origin of moll

Special use of Moll

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Explanation

A woman who's the companion or conspirator to a gangster can be called a moll. One of the most famous molls was Bonnie Parker, of the criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde. The informal moll has most often been used for the romantic partners of 1920s and 30s mobsters, like Al Capone's wife Mae or George "Baby Face" Nelson's girlfriend Helen. These supportive women were also called "gun molls," not named after the weapon, but for gonif, the Yiddish word for "thief." Moll is a shortened form of the name Molly, long a synonym for "woman of ill repute," for unknown reasons.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

moll Moll

Zhao Tao is electrifying as a mob moll who takes the fall for her boyfriend, serving five years on a gun charge, and then finding that everything in her life has changed upon her release.

From New York Times ● Jun. 22, 2022

It recalls "Dick Tracy" too in the "mob moll," which is, on one level, a lot of what Catwoman is.

From Salon ● Apr. 1, 2022

A British lord, an Italian mobster’s moll and a U.S. widow own the car during the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2019

Everyone in the novel seems intent on wearing middle sister down, jamming her into a mold that makes more sense to the community—I.R.A. moll, adulterous hussy—than does a girl who reads while she walks.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 3, 2018

It set me thinking about what a moll the fellow was in that cave business.

From The Kopje Garrison A Story of the Boer War by W. Boucher

Just because Sami’s meet-and-greet expenses didn’t result in deductions on his taxes, Moll said it doesn’t necessarily mean the IRS wouldn’t allow it elsewhere.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

Lore Van Moll, 33, a Belgian woman visiting her parents in nearby Alfaix, said she felt fortunate that she was unharmed and that her family’s home had been spared.

From Barron's ● Jul. 12, 2026

Moll has made the kind of sinewy procedural that makes your palms sweat.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2025

The MAIB's chief inspector of marine accidents Andrew Moll said the situation was "irrecoverable" once the yacht tilted beyond 70 degrees.

From BBC ● May 14, 2025

“Really, Moll? ” he says with a sigh, turning the ignition key.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

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