mold

¹

especially British, mould

[mohld]

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.

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

especially British, mould

[mohld]

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.

verb (used with or without object)

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

mold

³

especially British, mould

[mohld]

noun

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

2. British Dialect.,  ground; earth.

mold

/ məʊld /

noun

1. the US spelling of mould 1

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

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

Idioms and Phrases

see cast in the same mold.

Example Sentences

The evening dresses, fluid, spare, body molded, proved to be the surprise of the exhibit.

From Los Angeles Times

The brand announced that it has “initiated a voluntary recall of select lots of Hostess®Ding Dongs® products due to the potential for the presence of mold,” per an online statement made on its website.

From Salon

But there is one moment in a pop star documentary that breaks this mold, briefly yet brilliantly illustrating fame’s dual nature.

From Salon

“I mean, they made the first plastic chair. They made the first molded plywood chair. They were the first to use aluminum in a certain way.”

From Los Angeles Times

Instead of forcing the city into a European mold, perhaps the question is how the city’s existing DNA might evolve.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• construct 
• forge 
• sculpt