mole

Everyday

1. A mole is a small, furry animal with tiny eyes and big front paws that digs tunnels underground and eats worms. tree →
2. A mole is a small dark spot on someone's skin. tree →
3. A mole is a spy who works secretly inside an organisation and passes on its secrets. tree →
4. (science) In chemistry, a mole is a unit for counting a huge number of tiny particles, used by older students. tree →
5. A mole is also a stone wall built out into the sea to protect a harbour. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons moles show life underground: they are almost blind, feel with their noses and leave molehills on lawns. In health lessons, a mole on the skin that changes shape, colour or size should be shown to a doctor; wear sun cream. In spy stories, «the mole» is the traitor inside. Phrases: «make a mountain out of a molehill» (make a small problem seem huge), «blind as a mole», «whack-a-mole».

Examples

• A mole dug a tunnel under our lawn and left little hills of soil. tree →
• Moles eat earthworms and can store them for later. tree →
• Grandad has a mole on his cheek. tree →
• If a mole on your skin changes, show it to a doctor. tree →
• In the spy film, there was a mole inside the secret service. tree →
• Don't make a mountain out of a molehill — it's only a scratch. tree →
• A mole's big paws are like shovels. tree →
• The fishing boats sheltered behind the mole in the harbour. tree →
• The little Mole peered at it. tree →

Note

Plural «moles». A mole's heap of earth is a «molehill». Trap: the animal and the skin spot are the same spelling but not connected. «Mole» (Mexican sauce, said MO-lay) is another word. Moles are not completely blind, but they see very little.

In Jewish tradition

The mole is an animal that digs underground. Isaiah says people will throw their idols to the moles and bats in dark places.

Interpretation. The verse is read as a picture of the end of idol worship, when people see their idols are useless and throw them away.

Examples

• In that day a man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, to the moles and to the bats; (Prophets ISA.2.20, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural «moles». A mole's heap of earth is a «molehill». Trap: the animal and the skin spot are the same spelling but not connected. «Mole» (Mexican sauce, said MO-lay) is another word. Moles are not completely blind, but they see very little.