I. noun
or mould·er ˈmōldə(r)
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English molder, from molden to mold + -er (n. suffix) — more at mold (knead)
1. : a kneader of bread dough
2.
a. : a worker that makes molds or produces molded articles: as
(1) : a maker of foundry molds
(2) : brickmaker 2
(3) : an operator of a machine with abrasive wheels for cutting decorative designs on stone and concrete products
b. : molding machine
c.
(1) : mold III 3a
(2) or molder plate : caster 1b
d. : a firm that makes a business of molding
the sale of … plastic material to commerical molders — Milo Perkins
3. : one that exerts a determining influence on an attitude or course of development
molder of public opinion
molder of talent
molders of western monasticism — Helen Sullivan
II. verb
or moulder “
( moldered or mouldered ; moldered or mouldered ; moldering or mouldering -d(ə)riŋ ; molders or moulders )
Etymology: freq. of mold (VI) , mould
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to crumble away : disintegrate , decay
the leaves … moldered and went back to the earth — Margaret Kennedy
body lies a- moldering in the grave — John Brown's Body
left the final habitations to molder into dust — W.E.Swinton
b. : to deteriorate for lack of exercise
long periods of solitary confinement caused his mental faculties to molder
air crews moldered in the barracks
2. archaic : to decrease in size : dwindle
the Christian army … was moldering away with disease — John Lingard
transitive verb
1. : to cause to disintegrate
time's … gradual touch has moldered into beauty many a tower — William Mason
2. : to fritter away : waste
they have moldered away their time in inactivity — M.G.J.de Crèvecoeur