mold

¹

especially British, mould

[mohld]

noun

1. a hollow form or matrix for giving a particular shape to something in a molten or plastic state.

2. the shape created or imparted to a thing by a mold.

3. something formed in or on a mold.

   a mold of jelly.

4. a frame on which something is formed or made.

5. shape or form.

6. a prototype, example, or precursor.

7. a distinctive nature, character, or type.

   a person of a simple mold.

8. Shipbuilding.

   1. a three-dimensional pattern used to shape a plate after it has been softened by heating.

   2. a template for a frame.

9. Architecture.

   1. a molding.

   2. a group of moldings.

verb (used with object)

1. to work into a required shape or form; shape.

2. to shape or form in or on a mold.

3. Metallurgy.,  to form a mold of or from, in order to make a casting.

4. to produce by or as if by shaping material; form.

5. to have influence in determining or forming.

   to mold the character of a child.

6. to ornament with moldings.

mold

²

especially British, mould

[mohld]

noun

1. a growth of minute fungi forming on vegetable or animal matter, commonly as a downy or furry coating, and associated with decay or dampness.

2. any of the fungi that produce such a growth.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to become or cause to become overgrown or covered with mold.

mold

³

especially British, mould

[mohld]

noun

1. loose, friable earth, especially when rich in organic matter and favorable to the growth of plants.

2. British Dialect.,  ground; earth.

mold

/ məʊld /

noun

1. the US spelling of mould 1

Other Word Forms

• moldable adjective
• mouldable adjective
• moldability noun
• mouldability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mold¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun molde, moulde “pattern, model, mold,” from Anglo-French molde, from Old French molle, modle, moule, from Latin modulus “standard unit (of measurement)”; the verb is derivative of the noun; mode

Origin of mold²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English moulde, molde, apparently noun use of variant of earlier (i)mouled, moueld, past participle of moule(n), muhlen “to grow moldy, spoil, rot”; from Old Norse; compare Old Icelandic mygla, Swedish mögla, both meaning “to become moldy”

Origin of mold³

First recorded before 900; Middle English molde, moulde, mulde “dirt, loose earth, soil; earth or soil of a grave,” Old English molde “dust, sand, earth, the earth”; cognate with Gothic mulda “dust,” Old Icelandic mold “earth, mold,” Old High German molta “dust”; akin to meal ², mill ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see cast in the same mold.

Example Sentences

In the past, counties have inspected jails and prisons, finding mold, rats and other health violations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We welcome professionals and organisations to partner with us and take an active role in molding our AI products," he says.

Read more on BBC

At Martín García Island, Argentina, a series of crags amid the Río de la Plata delta, she tries to make sense of crooked crosses cast from a single mold.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bailey, though far less prominent nationally, fit squarely within this mold.

Read more on Salon

Francis spent a few weeks sorting through the archive and discarding lasts and shoe boxes that were too covered in mold or deteriorated to be worth keeping.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• construct 
• forge 
• sculpt