2 entries found for molar.
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molar[1,noun] molar[2,adjective]

Main Entry: ¹mo·lar
Pronunciation: m-lr
Function: noun
Etymology: from Latin molaris "a grinding tooth," from mola "millstone" --related to ¹MILL
: a tooth with a rounded or flattened surface adapted for grinding; especially : one behind the premolars of a mammal
Word History Food is crushed in the mouth by the grinding of teeth, especially the molars. In much the same manner, grain may be ground into flour between two rough circular millstones. The Latin word for millstone is mola, and it seemed fitting to the English in the late Middle Ages that a tooth which acted like a millstone be called a molar.