mole

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : petit mammifère fouisseur ; petite tache pigmentée sur la peau ; unité de mesure en chimie ; espion infiltré dans une organisation ; sauce piquante au chocolat ; ou construction en pierre s'avançant dans l'eau pour protéger la côte.

A noun with multiple meanings: a small burrowing mammal; a small pigmented spot on the skin; a unit of measurement in chemistry; a spy who infiltrates an organization; a spicy chocolate-based sauce; or a stone structure extending into the water to protect a shore.

1. Unit of measurementB2formalscientific

   The molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites.

   mole (unité de quantité de matière)

   • One mole of carbon-12 has a mass of exactly 12 grams.
   • The chemist measured out one mole of sodium chloride.
   • Avogadro's number defines the number of particles in one mole.

2. B2formal

   A spy who works against enemy espionage, often by infiltrating an organization.

   taupe (espion infiltré)

   • The mole was discovered passing secrets to a foreign government.
   • He worked as a mole within the intelligence agency for years.
   • The double agent was suspected of being a mole.

   Synonymesassetdouble agentinfiltratoroperativeplantspyundercover agent

3. B1formalculinary

   A spicy sauce often containing chocolate, commonly used in Mexican cuisine.

   Mole (sauce mexicaine)

   • Mole poblano is a traditional Mexican dish.
   • She prepared chicken with a rich mole sauce.
   • The mole had a complex flavor of chili and chocolate.

4. Skin spotA2formal

   A small congenital pigmented spot on the skin, typically brown or black.

   grain de beauté

   • She has a mole on her left cheek.
   • The doctor examined the mole for any signs of cancer.
   • He noticed a new mole on his arm.

   Synonymesbeauty spotbirthmarknevus

5. B2formal

   A protective structure of stone or concrete extending from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away.

   Môle (protection côtière)

   • The mole protected the harbor from strong waves.
   • They built a mole to stop coastal erosion.
   • The old mole was reinforced with concrete blocks.

   Synonymesbreakwatergroingroynejetty

6. A2formal

   A small velvety-furred burrowing mammal having small eyes and fossorial forefeet.

   taupe

   • A mole dug tunnels across the garden.
   • Moles are rarely seen above ground.
   • The mole's fur is adapted for underground life.