1. a mythical herb with white flowers and black roots that Hermes gave to Odysseus as protection against Circe’s magic
Usage: mythology; literary
2. any of various plants of the genus Allium, especially those with yellow flowers
Usage: botany

Examples

• In Homer’s Odyssey, Hermes provides Odysseus with moly to protect him from enchantment.
• The hero carried the magical moly as a safeguard against the sorceress.
• Botanists identified the yellow-flowered moly growing wild in the Mediterranean region.
• The garden featured several species of moly among the ornamental bulbs.
• Ancient texts describe moly as having distinctive white blooms and dark roots.
• The moly plants bloomed brilliantly in the spring garden display.