mold

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English molde; akin to Old High German molta soil, Latin molere to grind — more at meal Date: before 12th century 1. crumbling soft friable earth suited to plant growth ; soil; especially soil rich in humus — compare leaf mold 2. dialect British a. the surface of the earth ; ground b. the earth of the burying ground 3. archaic earth that is the substance of the human body <

be merciful great Duke to men of mold — Shakespeare

> II. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French molde, alteration of Old French modle, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete Date: 13th century 1. distinctive nature or character ; type 2. the frame on or around which an object is constructed 3. a. a cavity in which a substance is shaped: as (1) a matrix for casting metal <

a bullet mold

> (2) a form in which food is given a decorative shape b. a molded object 4. molding 5. a. obsolete an example to be followed b. prototype c. a fixed pattern ; design III. transitive verb Date: 14th century 1. archaic to knead (dough) into a desired consistency or shape 2. to give shape to <

the wind molds the waves

> 3. to form in a mold <

mold candles

> 4. to determine or influence the quality or nature of <

mold public opinion

> 5. to fit the contours of <

fitted skirts that mold the hips

> 6. to ornament with molding or carving <

molded picture frames

> • moldable adjective • molder noun IV. noun Etymology: Middle English mowlde, perhaps alteration of mowle, from moulen to grow moldy, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Danish mul mold Date: 14th century 1. a superficial often woolly growth produced especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms by a fungus (as of the order Mucorales) 2. a fungus that produces mold V. intransitive verb Date: 1530 to become moldy