molder

¹ American  

[mohl-der] / ˈmoʊl dər /

especially British, moulder

verb (used without object)

1. to turn to dust by natural decay; crumble; disintegrate; waste away.

   a house that had been left to molder.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to molder.

molder ² American  

[mohl-der] / ˈmoʊl dər /

noun

1. a person or thing that molds.

2. a person who makes molds.

3. Printing. one of a set of electrotyped plates used only for making duplicate electrotypes (worker ).

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molder British  

/ ˈməʊldə /

verb

1. the US spelling of moulder 1

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Other Word Forms

• unmoldered adjective
• unmoldering adjective

Etymology

Origin of molder¹

1525–35; obsolete mold to crumble (v. use of mold ³ ) + -er ⁶

Origin of molder¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; mold ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

If you think we’re kidding, slow your roll: The first one, which we didn’t hate, understood the ominous, moldering potential of a kiddie restaurant gone to seed.

From Los Angeles Times

It might even inspire you to go out to the garage and excavate that moldering set of clubs.

From Los Angeles Times

While the case moldered and the family grieved, Stephanie Lazarus kept her badge and her secret.

From Los Angeles Times

Even in times of relative peace, the “Star Wars” galaxy is moldering with economic inequality, burdensome military spending and distracted leaders who are content to maintain the status quo.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• decompose