What meaning does the Nahuatl word *mōlli* represent?
Answer
Sauce
The term mole derives directly from the Nahuatl word *mōlli*. This original word carries a very broad and fundamental definition, simply meaning 'sauce.' This linguistic root explains why there is such immense regional variation across Mexico; the term acts as a broad descriptor for a wide array of cooked, spiced preparations, allowing different states like Oaxaca and Puebla to develop unique, highly specialized versions all falling under the umbrella of *mōlli*.
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