mildew

American  

[mil-doo, -dyoo] / ˈmɪlˌdu, -ˌdyu /

noun

1. Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a cottony, usually whitish coating on the surface of affected parts, caused by any of various fungi.

2. any of these fungi.

3. any of similar coatings or discolorations, caused by fungi, as that which appears on fabrics, paper, leather, etc., when exposed to moisture.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to affect or become affected with mildew.

mildew British  

/ ˈmɪlˌdjuː /

noun

1. any of various diseases of plants that affect mainly the leaves and are caused by parasitic fungi See also downy mildew powdery mildew

2. any fungus causing this kind of disease

3. another name for mould 2

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verb

1. to affect or become affected with mildew

mildew Scientific  

/ mĭl′do̅o̅′ /

1. Any of various fungi or oomycete organisms that form a white or grayish coating on surfaces, such as plant leaves, cloth, or leather, especially under damp, warm conditions. Powdery mildews are important plant diseases usually caused by ascomycete fungi, while downy mildews, including a serious disease of grapevines, are caused by oomycetes.

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Other Word Forms

• mildewy adjective
• unmildewed adjective

Etymology

Origin of mildew

before 1000; Middle English: honeydew, mildew; Old English mildēaw, equivalent to mil- honey (cognate with Gothic milith, akin to Latin mel, Greek méli ) + dēaw dew

Example Sentences

When tested on wheat, these compounds helped protect against fungal infections such as powdery mildew.

From Science Daily

For me to even open an envelope meant a trip to my stepmother’s house, where the precious cache was moldering in a mildewed basement.

From Salon

Soon after, she hired an independent, licensed roofing company to inspect her roof, which she said found no evidence of algae, mildew, mold or moss.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2004, around 40 tenants of the building sued the owners, claiming they were exposed to mold and mildew, exposed electrical wiring, as well as leaky windows.

From Los Angeles Times

US defender Chastain vividly remembers the conditions - "the water dripping from the ceiling, the mildew - you can smell it".

From BBC

Related Words

• blight
• mold