¹molar

noun mo·lar \ˈmō-lər\

: a large tooth near the back of the jaw with a wide surface used especially for grinding food

Full Definition of MOLAR

: a tooth with a rounded or flattened surface adapted for grinding; specifically : one of the cheek teeth in mammals behind the incisors and canines — see tooth illustration

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Origin of MOLAR

Middle English molares, plural, from Latin molaris, from molaris of a mill, from mola millstone — more at mill

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with MOLAR

bowler, polar, poler, poller, roller, solar, stroller, troller

²molar

adjective

Definition of MOLAR

: pulverizing by friction : grinding

: of, relating to, or located near the molar teeth

First Known Use of MOLAR

1626

³molar

adjective

Definition of MOLAR

: of or relating to a mole of a substance <the molar volume of a gas>

: containing one mole of solute in one liter of solution

— mo·lar·i·ty \mō-ˈla-rə-tē\ noun

Origin of MOLAR

⁵mole

First Known Use: 1902

MOLARITY Defined for Kids

molar

noun mo·lar \ˈmō-lər\

Definition of MOLAR for Kids

: a large tooth near the back of the mouth with a broad surface used for grinding

Word History of MOLAR

A millstone is a large stone used for grinding grain. We have teeth, called molars, that are also used for grinding. The English word molar comes from a Latin word molaris that is derived from mola, “millstone.” The English word mill comes ultimately from Latin molina, which is also derived from mola.