mold Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the distinctive form in which a thing is made
    mould; cast; stamp.
    • pottery of this cast was found throughout the region
  2. noun container into which liquid is poured to create a given shape when it hardens
    mould; cast.
  3. noun loose soil rich in organic matter
    mould.
  4. noun the process of becoming mildewed
    mould; mildew.
  5. noun a fungus that produces a superficial growth on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter
    mould.
  6. noun a dish or dessert that is formed in or on a mold
    mould.
    • a lobster mold
    • a gelatin dessert made in a mold
  7. noun a distinctive nature, character, or type
    mould.
    • a leader in the mold of her predecessors
  8. noun sculpture produced by molding
    mould; clay sculpture; molding; modeling; moulding.
  9. verb form in clay, wax, etc
    mould; model.
    • model a head with clay
  10. verb become moldy; spoil due to humidity
    mildew.
    • The furniture molded in the old house
  11. verb form by pouring (e.g., wax or hot metal) into a cast or mold
    mould; cast.
    • cast a bronze sculpture
  12. verb make something, usually for a specific function
    mould; form; work; shape; forge.
    • She molded the rice balls carefully
    • Form cylinders from the dough
    • shape a figure
    • Work the metal into a sword
  13. verb fit tightly, follow the contours of
    • The dress molds her beautiful figure
  14. verb shape or influence; give direction to
    influence; shape; regulate; determine.
    • experience often determines ability
    • mold public opinion

WordNet

Mold noun
Etymology
See Mo a spot.
Definitions
  1. A spot; a blemish; a mole. Obs. Spenser.
Mold, Mould noun (Also<
  • Mold
  • Mould
)
Etymology
OE. molde, AS. molde; akin to D. mul, G. mull, mulm, OHG. molt, molta, Icel. mold, Dan. muld, Sw. mull, Goth. mulda, and E. meal flour. See Meal, and cf. Mole an animal, Mull, v.
Definitions
  1. Crumbling, soft, friable earth; esp., earth containing the remains or constituents of organic matter, and suited to the growth of plants; soil.
  2. Earthy material; the matter of which anything is formed; composing substance; material.
    The etherial mold, Incapable of stain. Milton.
    Nature formed me of her softest mold. Addison.
    3. a fungus
Mold, Mould transitive verb (Also<
  • Mold
  • Mould
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Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Molded or Moulded; present participle & verbal noun Molding or Moulding
Definitions
  1. To cover with mold or soil. R.
Mold, Mould noun (Also<
  • Mold
  • Mould
)
Etymology
From the p.p. of OE. moulen to become moldy, to rot, prob. fr. Icel. mygla to grow musty, mugga mugginess; cf. Sw. mögla to grow moldy. See Muggy, and cf. Moldy.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A growth of minute fungi of various kinds, esp. those of the great groups Hyphomycetes, and Physomycetes, forming on damp or decaying organic matter. ✍ The common blue mold of cheese, the brick-red cheese mold, and the scarlet or orange strata which grow on tubers or roots stored up for use, when commencing to decay, are familiar examples. M. J. Berkley.
Mold, Mould transitive verb (Also<
  • Mold
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Definitions
  1. To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
Mold, Mould intransitive verb (Also<
  • Mold
  • Mould
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Definitions
  1. To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.
Mold, Mould noun (Also<
  • Mold
  • Mould
)
Etymology
OE. molde, OF. mole, F. moule, fr. L. modulus. See Model.
Definitions
  1. The matrix, or cavity, in which anything is shaped, and from which it takes its form; also, the body or mass containing the cavity; as, a sand mold; a jelly mold. Milton.
  2. That on which, or in accordance with which, anything is modeled or formed; anything which serves to regulate the size, form, etc., as the pattern or templet used by a shipbuilder, carpenter, or mason.
    The glass of fashion and the mold of form. Shak.
  3. Cast; form; shape; character.
    Crowned with an architrave of antique mold. Pope.
  4. (Arch.) A group of moldings; as, the arch mold of a porch or doorway; the pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of parts.
  5. (Anat.) A fontanel.
  6. (Paper Making) A frame with a wire cloth bottom, on which the pump is drained to form a sheet, in making paper by hand.
Mold, Mould transitive verb (Also<
  • Mold
  • Mould
)
Etymology
Cf. F. mouler, OF. moler, moller. See Mold the matrix.
Definitions
  1. To form into a particular shape; to shape; to model; to fashion.
    He forgeth and moldeth metals. Sir M. Hale.
    Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mold me man? Milton.
  2. To ornament by molding or carving the material of; as, a molded window jamb.
  3. To knead; as, to mold dough or bread.
  4. (Founding) To form a mold of, as in sand, in which a casting may be made.

Webster 1913