molly

1
[ mol-ee ]

noun,plural mol·lies.
  1. any of certain livebearing freshwater fishes of the genus Poecilia (formerly Mollienisia), popular in home aquariums.

Origin of molly

1
First recorded in 1930–35; shortened from New Latin Mollienisia, named after French statesman Count F. N. Mollien (1758–1850); see -ia

Words Nearby molly

Other definitions for molly (2 of 5)

molly2
[ mol-ee ]

noun,plural mol·lies.
  1. a type of expansion bolt having a split, sleevelike sheath threaded at one end so that when inserted snugly into masonry the turning of the bolt draws the ends of the sheath together, thus spreading the sides.

Origin of molly

2
First recorded in 1930–35; formerly a trademark

Other definitions for molly (3 of 5)

molly3
[ mol-ee ]

nounSlang.
  1. Often Molly . MDMA.

  2. any amphetamine.

Origin of molly

3
First recorded in 1975–80; origin uncertain; perhaps a shortening of black molly, a tropical aquarium fish supposedly resembling the black pills; other authorities suggest it is a shortening and alteration of molecule

Other definitions for molly (4 of 5)

molly4
[ mol-ee myool ]

noun
  1. a female mule.

Origin of molly

4
First recorded in 1980–85; generic use of the proper name
  • Also called molly mule .

Other definitions for Molly (5 of 5)

Molly
[ mol-ee ]

noun
  1. a female given name, form ofMary or Milicent.

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How to use molly in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for molly (1 of 2)

molly1

/ (ˈmɒlɪ) /


nounplural -lies
  1. any brightly coloured tropical or subtropical American freshwater cyprinodont fish of the genus Mollienisia

Origin of molly

1
C19: from New Latin Mollienisia, from Comte F. N. Mollien (1758–1850), French statesman

British Dictionary definitions for molly (2 of 2)

molly2

/ (ˈmɒlɪ) /


nounplural -lies
  1. Irish informal an effeminate, weak, or cowardly boy or man

Origin of molly

2
C18: perhaps from Molly, pet name for Mary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012