I. ˈmīld, esp before pause or consonant -īəld adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English mild, milde, from Old English milde; akin to Old High German milti kind, gracious, Old Norse mildr gentle, Gothic mildi tha affection, Greek malthakos soft, Sanskrit mardhati it is moist, Old English melu meal — more at meal
1.
a. archaic : kind , gracious , considerate
peace on earth and mercy mild — Charles Wesley
b. : gentle in nature or behavior : not harsh or vehement : not giving offense
mild disposition
mild manners
2.
a. : moderate in action or sensuous effect
mild drug
mild cigar
: of moderate strength or intensity : not sharp or bitter
mild oath
mild humus
mild slope
mild reproof
: bland
mild as milk
mild cheese
b. of ale or beer : not strongly flavored with hops
c. of disease : not severe or dangerous : benign
mild case of whooping cough
3.
a. archaic : not wild : tame
wild beasts … at his sight grew mild — John Milton
b. : of less than normal or expected vigor, boldness, or severity
mild sarcasm
mild game of bridge
mild punishment
mild exercise
c. : characterized by absence of extremes in temperature : temperate
mild climate
d. : not cold : pleasantly warm
mild spring day
mild spell in February
Synonyms: see soft
II. adverb
archaic : mildly
III. noun
( -s )
1. Britain : mild ale or beer
2. usually capitalized : coffee of fine quality : coffee other than Brazil — usually used in plural