( BrE ) ( NAmE mold ) / məʊld; NAmE moʊld/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a container that you pour a soft liquid or substance into, which then becomes solid in the same shape as the container, for example when it is cooled or cooked :
A clay mould is used for casting bronze statues.
Pour the chocolate into a heart-shaped mould.
They broke the mould when they made you (= there is nobody like you) .
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] a particular style showing the characteristics, attitudes or behaviour that are typical of sb/sth :
a hero in the 'Superman' mould
He is cast in a different mould from his predecessor.
She doesn't fit (into) the traditional mould of an academic.
3.
[ U , C ] a fine soft green, grey or black substance like fur that grows on old food or on objects that are left in warm wet air :
There's mould on the cheese.
moulds and fungi
mould growth
—see also leaf mould
•
IDIOMS
- break the mould (of sth)
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] mould A (into B) | mould B (from / out of / in A) to shape a soft substance into a particular form or object by pressing it or by putting it into a mould :
First, mould the clay into the desired shape.
The figure had been moulded in clay.
2.
[ vn ] mould sb/sth (into sb/sth) to strongly influence the way sb's character, opinions, etc. develop :
The experience had moulded and coloured her whole life.
He moulded them into a superb team.
3.
mould (sth) to sth to fit or make sth fit tightly around the shape of sth :
[ v ]
The fabric moulds to the body.
[also vn ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 2 and verb Middle English : apparently from Old French modle , from Latin modulus measure, diminutive of modus .
noun sense 3 late Middle English : probably from obsolete mould , past participle of moul grow mouldy , of Scandinavian origin; compare with Old Norse mygla grow mouldy.