mole
UK[məʊl]US[moʊl]
n
a small, dark, raised spot on a person's skin
n
a small, burrowing mammal with dark fur, very small eyes, and strong front paws for digging
n
a spy who has worked within an organization for a long time to gain secret information
n
a large, solid structure built in the sea as a breakwater or pier
Etymology
the modern english word "mole" is a convergence of several distinct words. the skin spot meaning derives from middle english mole, from old english māl, meaning 'spot, mark, blemish', of germanic origin. the burrowing animal comes from middle english molle, likely from a middle low german or middle dutch word. the spy meaning is a 20th-century metaphorical extension, popularized by john le carré, likening a deep-cover agent to the secretive, underground animal. the maritime structure originates from latin mōlēs, meaning 'mass, massive structure, barrier', via french môle. these separate etymological streams have merged into a single, polysemous lexical form in modern english.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it represents multiple distinct words (homonyms) that have converged on the same spelling and pronunciation from different historical paths.
Examples
she had a small mole on her cheek.
the mole tunneled through the garden lawn, leaving a trail of raised earth.
the security services finally uncovered the mole who had been leaking information for years.