molly

¹ American  

[mol-ee] / ˈmɒl i /

noun

plural

mollies

1. any of certain livebearing freshwater fishes of the genus Poecilia (formerlyMollienisia ), popular in home aquariums.

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molly ² American  

[mol-ee] / ˈmɒl i /

noun

plural

mollies

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.

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molly ³ American  

[mol-ee] / ˈmɒl i /

noun

Slang.

1. Often Molly MDMA.

2. any amphetamine.

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molly ⁴ American  

[mol-ee myool] / ˈmɒl i ˌmyul /

noun

1. a female mule.

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Molly ⁵ American  

[mol-ee] / ˈmɒl i /

noun

1. a female given name, form of Mary or Milicent.

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molly ¹ British  

/ ˈmɒlɪ /

noun

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

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molly ² British  

/ ˈmɒlɪ /

noun

1. informal an effeminate, weak, or cowardly boy or man

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Etymology

Origin of molly¹

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

Origin of molly²

First recorded in 1930–35; formerly a trademark

Origin of molly³

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 ( def. )

Origin of molly⁴

First recorded in 1980–85; generic use of the proper name

Example Sentences

Morris and molly dancers accompanied by musicians joined the parade through the town as people lined the streets.

From BBC

I founded molly moon’s with the mission of making the world a better place, one scoop at a time.

From Seattle Times

She just had some questions how to treat ich, an illness that had wiped out her mollies.

From New York Times

Small freshwater fish called sulfur mollies synchronously splash their tails to create waves, and scientists have now demonstrated that this strategy can deter hungry birds.

From Scientific American

In the sulfur-infused ponds of Tabasco state in Mexico lives a tiny silver slip of a fish, the sulphur molly.

From Seattle Times