Moly

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈməʊli/

Origin

From Latin mōly, from Ancient Greek μῶλυ (probably a loanword).

Full definition of moly

Noun

1. A magic herb or plant used by Odysseus to overcome .
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.4.1.iii:It excels Homers moly, cures this, falling sickness, and almost all other infirmities.
• 1980, Walter Shrewing, trans. Homer, The Odyssey, Oxford 1998, p.120: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.
2. Any plant associated with the mythological moly, especially the European allium, .----