From Latin 'demoliri' (to un-build) — 'de-' (down) + 'moliri' (to build), from 'moles' (mass). Same root as 'molecule.'
To pull or knock down a building or structure; to destroy completely.
From French 'démoliss-' (stem of 'démolir'), from Latin 'demolīrī' (to tear down, to throw down), from 'dē-' (down, completely — here with a reversing force) + 'mōlīrī' (to build, to construct, to set in motion a massive effort), from 'mōles' (mass, massive structure, effort). The word means literally 'to un-build' or 'to undo a massive construction' — to reverse the act of building. 'Mōles' also gave English 'molecule' (a tiny mass