mold

¹ American  

[mohld] / moʊld /

especially British, mould

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.

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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 American  

[mohld] / moʊld /

especially British, mould

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.

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verb (used with or without object)

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

mold ³ American  

[mohld] / moʊld /

especially British, mould

noun

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

2. British Dialect. ground; earth.

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mold British  

/ məʊld /

noun

1. the US spelling of mould 1

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mold Idioms  

1. see cast in the same mold.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Producing cemented carbide molds without defects appears achievable with this approach, which was the primary objective of the research.

From Science Daily

She said she had arranged to move him out of the unit and into an apartment in Koreatown, noting that the Beverly Grove home had severe water damage and black mold.

From Los Angeles Times

The palazzo is filled with ornate wall coverings and moldings, rococo furniture and artworks, and marble floors with intricately detailed inlays.

From The Wall Street Journal

Campus comedies seem to be flourishing, like ivy on Harvard brick, or mold in a bathroom.

From The Wall Street Journal

While directors help mold the work, the writer retains ultimate authority.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• construct
• forge
• sculpt