molar

¹

[ moh-ler ]

noun

1. Also called molar tooth. a tooth having a broad biting surface adapted for grinding, being one of twelve in humans, with three on each side of the upper and lower jaws.

adjective

1. adapted for grinding, as teeth.
2. pertaining to such teeth.

molar

²

[ moh-ler ]

adjective

1. Physics. pertaining to a body of matter as a whole, as contrasted with molecular and atomic.

molar

³

[ moh-ler ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. pertaining to a solution containing one mole of solute per liter of solution.
2. noting or pertaining to gram-molecular weight.

molar

¹

/ ˈməʊlə /

adjective

1. (of a physical quantity) per unit amount of substance

   molar volume

2. (not recommended in technical usage) (of a solution) containing one mole of solute per litre of solution

molar

²

/ ˈməʊlə /

noun

1. any of the 12 broad-faced grinding teeth in man
2. a corresponding tooth in other mammals

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating any of these teeth
2. used for or capable of grinding

molar

¹

/ mō′lər /

1. Any of the teeth located toward the back of the jaws, having broad crowns for grinding food. Adult humans have 12 molars.

molar

²

/ mō′lər /

1. Relating to a mole.
2. Containing one mole of solute per liter of solution.

Word History and Origins

Origin of molar¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English molares (plural), from Latin molāris “grinding tooth, molar,” equivalent to mol(a) “millstone, mill” + -āris -ar ¹

Origin of molar²

First recorded in 1860–65; from Latin mōl(ēs) “a lump; large mass” + -ar ¹

Origin of molar³

First recorded in 1860–65; mole ⁴ + -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of molar¹

C19: from Latin mōlēs a mass

Origin of molar²

C16: from Latin molāris for grinding, from mola millstone

Example Sentences

In 1832, Darwin uncovered molar teeth belonging to Toxodon, and the following year he discovered a skull belonging to the creature in Uruguay.

From Salon

Like Idaho, Tennessee bans abortions at all stages of pregnancy but there are exemptions in cases of molar pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, and to remove a miscarriage or to save the life of the mother.

From Seattle Times

Simply put, with this model, periodontal disease is artificially induced by ligating silk threads onto the molars of mice models, which induces plaque accumulation.

From Science Daily

The report also cites violations of academic integrity, including the alleged 2009 theft of the molars.

From Science Magazine

Wisdom teeth, or a person's third and final set of back molars, are the last teeth to grow in one's mouth.

From Salon