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.

molly

²

[ 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.

molly

³

[ mol-ee ]

noun

, Slang.

1. Often Molly. MDMA ( def ).
2. any amphetamine.

molly

⁴

[ mol-ee myool ]

noun

1. a female mule.

Molly

⁵

[ mol-ee ]

noun

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

molly

¹

/ ˈmɒlɪ /

noun

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

molly

²

/ ˈmɒlɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of molly¹

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

Origin of molly²

C18: perhaps from Molly , pet name for Mary

Example Sentences

When it was just Molly and me out in the woods, I didn’t have to concentrate on small talk or worry about what someone else needed or what I needed to get done for class.

From Outside Online

“At first I thought it was heroin, then I checked for cocaine, but it looks like it’s probably molly,” one officer said.

From Washington Post

Their final exchange was at age 7, involving Molly’s very last baby tooth, and she was angling for a major payout.

From Washington Post

It’s not certain that the 27-year-old embryo that became Molly is a record.

From Washington Post

Molly was born nine months later, weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and measuring 19 inches.

From Washington Post

Until she was indicted on multiple sex abuse charges on Wednesday, Baltimore socialite Molly Shattuck was practically perfect.

From The Daily Beast

Everyone from Miley Cyrus to Kanye West has sung about MDMA, also known as ‘molly.’

From The Daily Beast

I hate to break the news, but Molly Shannon would definitely not make it through the zombie apocalypse.

From The Daily Beast

Feast your eyes on the new music video for “Break Free,” brought to you by Ariana Grande, Zedd, and Molly.

From The Daily Beast

You see, Molly also knows things—some of which unfold in flashbacks—with many more revelations likely to come in future episodes.

From The Daily Beast

The earnest, chummy attitude of the inquirer made Molly feel at ease, and also anxious to please.

From Project Gutenberg

"I don't know, ma'am," and Molly's vacant stare proved her a good actress, and one determined not to give away any information.

From Project Gutenberg

Zizi knew from the sly and obstinate look in her eyes that Molly was lying and that she intended to stick to it.

From Project Gutenberg

This was a mere guess on Zizi's part, and she said it to learn from Molly's expression how near right it might be.

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore, Zizi argued, there had been a ceremony and why would it have taken place except to shut Molly's mouth?

From Project Gutenberg