mold

¹mold

noun \ˈmōld\

Definition of MOLD

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>

Origin of MOLD

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

Rhymes with MOLD

bold, bowled, cold, fold, gold, hold, old, polled, scold, soled, souled, wold

²mold

noun

Definition of MOLD

1

: distinctive nature or character : type

2

: the frame on or around which an object is constructed

3

a : a cavity in which a substance is shaped: as (1) : a matrix for casting metal <a bullet mold> (2) : a form in which food is given a decorative shape

b : a molded object

4

: molding

5

a obsolete : an example to be followed

b : prototype

c : a fixed pattern : design

Origin of MOLD

Middle English, from Anglo-French molde, alteration of Old French modle, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete

First Known Use: 13th century

³mold

transitive verb

Definition of MOLD

1

archaic : to knead (dough) into a desired consistency or shape

2

: to give shape to <the wind molds the waves>

3

: to form in a mold <mold candles>

4

: to determine or influence the quality or nature of <mold public opinion>

5

: to fit the contours of <fitted skirts that mold the hips>

6

: to ornament with molding or carving <molded picture frames>

— mold·able \ˈmōl-də-bəl\ adjective

— mold·er noun

First Known Use of MOLD

14th century

⁴mold

noun

Definition of MOLD

1

: a superficial often woolly growth produced especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms by a fungus (as of the order Mucorales)

2

: a fungus that produces mold

Origin of MOLD

Middle English mowlde, perhaps alteration of mowle, from moulen to grow moldy, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Danish mul mold

First Known Use: 14th century

⁵mold

intransitive verb

Definition of MOLD

: to become moldy

First Known Use of MOLD

1530

Mold

geographical name \ˈmōld\

Definition of MOLD

town NE Wales SSW of Liverpool, England