I. ˈmōld 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
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French molde, alteration of Old French modle, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete
Date: 13th century
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
III. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : to knead (dough) into a desired consistency or shape
2. : to give shape to
the wind mold s 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
mold ed picture frames
• mold·able ˈmōl-də-bəl adjective
• mold·er noun
IV. noun
Etymology: Middle English mowlde, perhaps alteration of mowle, from moulen to grow moldy, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Danish mul mold
Date: 14th century
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
V. intransitive verb
Date: 1530
: to become moldy