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

In the past the term molly was an offensive word aimed at gay men, or men who carried out tasks considered to be women’s work, such as cooking or clothes washing.

From BBC

Many questions focused on the fact that study participants were by and large able to correctly guess whether they had been given MDMA, also known by the names of Ecstasy or molly.

From New York Times

MDMA, sometimes called ecstasy or molly, would become the first illegal psychedelic, if approved, to make the leap to mainstream medicine.

From Seattle Times

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

From BBC

The National Institute on Drug Abuse also continues to warn that abuse of drugs such as ecstasy and molly has been linked to high blood pressure, seizures and kidney failure.

From Washington Times