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moly (n.)

1570s, fabulous magical herb with white flowers and black root, given by Hermes to Odysseus as protection against Circe's sorcery, from Greek mōly, a word of of unknown and probably foreign origin. Beekes says probably Pre-Greek, and adds, "All proposed IE etymologies (see Frisk) have to be rejected." The plant itself has been variously identified.

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