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countable and uncountable, plural molies
(Greek mythology) A magic herb or plant used by Odysseus to overcome Circe. quotations
It excels Homers moly, cures this, falling sickness, and almost all other infirmities.
1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, partition II, section 4, member 1, subsection iii
Or, propt on beds of amaranth and moly, / How sweet (while warm airs lull us, blowing lowly,)
1832 December (indicated as 1833), Alfred Tennyson, “The Lotos-Eaters”, in Poems, London: Edward Moxon, […], page 114
So spoke the Radiant One; then gave me the magic herb, pulling it from the ground and showing me in what form it grew; its root was black, its flower milk-white. Its name among the gods is moly.
1980, Walter Shrewing, translated by Homer, The Odyssey, Oxford, published 1998, page 120
Any plant associated with the mythological moly, especially the European allium, Allium moly. examples
uncountable
(informal) Molybdenum. quotations examples
The fuselage and tail unit were constructed of welded chrome-moly steel tubing, fabric covered, with two seats in one elongated open 'bathtub' cockpit.
1990, John Wegg, General Dynamics Aircraft and Their Predecessors, page 55
(slang) Molybdenum grease.