Main Entry: ¹mold

Pronunciation: \ˈmōld\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English molde; akin to Old High German molta soil, Latin molere to grind — more at meal

Date: before 12th century

1 : crumbling soft friable earth suited to plant growth : soil; especially : soil rich in humus — compare leaf mold
2 dialect British a : the surface of the earth : ground b : the earth of the burying ground
3 archaic : earth that is the substance of the human body <be merciful great Duke to men of mold — Shakespeare>