mold English · revision 39693

+ Merriam-Webster, Barnhart and Etymonline give separate entries to ''mold'' meaning a shape for casting, ''mold'' meaning a fungus, and ''mold'' meaning loose earth, with different origins.^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) ''Mold'' is the American spelling;^(Collins 2023)^(Dictionary.com 2016) British English writes ''mould''.^(Collins 2023)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /məʊld/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /moʊld/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ {{homograph|1|shape, cast}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c1200, Ancrene Riwle|origins=la modulus}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ This word is [[inh|enm|molde]],^(MWU 2024)^(AHD 2024) [[bor|fro|modle|t=model, plan, copy; way, manner]] with transposed consonants,^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(SOED 2002) also found as [[m|fro|molle]] (modern [[m|fr|moule]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|modulus|t=measure, model]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2024)^(Barnhart 1988) a diminutive of [[m|la|modus|t=measure, manner]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2024) from the root [[ine-pro|*med-|t=to take appropriate measures]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2024) Barnhart notes that it is a doublet of [[module]].^(Barnhart 1988) The verb was formed from the noun in Middle English.^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Fashion, form, nature, character: probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle'', according to Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline dates this figurative sense to c1200,^(Etymonline) Dictionary.com to 1175–1225, and Merriam-Webster gives the 13th century for "distinctive nature or character".^(Dictionary.com 2016)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The concrete sense, a pattern on which something is made or a form into which molten metal is poured, followed by about 1300, in ''Sir Tristrem'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and the Shorter Oxford records a mason's template from Middle English.^(SOED 2002) The phrase ''break the mold'', so that no other like it can be made, was used figuratively from the 1560s,^(Etymonline) and moulds for jellies and other food are recorded from the 1570s.^(Etymonline) The verb meant at first to mix or knead, especially dough (about 1350),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and then to shape bread or form something into a particular shape (late 14th century);^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) the figurative sense, of forming a person's character, dates from about 1600.^(Etymonline) The noun ''molding'' (1327) at first meant kneading, and only from 1643 an ornamental strip in architecture.^(Barnhart 1988) In Suffolk ''to be all of a mould'' was to have a strong family likeness, and in Scots a ''mould'' was the bone disc of a cloth-covered button.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c1200 – form, nature, character.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c1300 – a form for casting molten metal.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * about 1350 – verb, to knead or mix.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1560s – ''break the mold''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1570s – a mould for jellies and other food.^(Etymonline)

+ * c1600 – verb, to shape a person's character.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A hollow container into which a liquid or soft material, such as molten metal, plastic or jelly, is poured so that it sets in that shape.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Something made or shaped in such a container.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A frame or [[template]] on or around which something is built.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Distinctive nature or [[character]]; a kind or type: ''a politician of the old mold''.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make or shape something in a mold, or to give it a particular form: ''She molded the clay into a small bowl.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # To shape or influence the character or development of someone or something.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # (archaic) To [[knead]] dough.^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[molding]]

+ * [[moldable]]

+ * [[remold]]

+

+ {{homograph|2|fungus}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=before 1400, Cursor Mundi|origins=non mygla}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ This word is probably [[der|enm|moulde]], the past participle of [[m|enm|moulen|t=to grow moldy]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(ODE 2010) a verb of Scandinavian origin related to [[m|non|mygla|t=to grow moldy]],^(MED)^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) with [[m|sv|mögla]] and [[m|da|mugle]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966) Barnhart thinks the verb may be related to [[m|non|mugga|t=drizzle]] (see [[muggy]]),^(Barnhart 1988) and Etymonline suggests a Germanic base meaning wetness or slipperiness, from the root of [[mucus]].^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster takes it as an alteration of [[m|enm|mowle]] influenced by the earth word [[m|enm|molde]],^(MWU 2024) and Etymonline and Klein also allow some influence from that word.^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A furry growth of fungus on decaying matter: before 1400, in ''Cursor Mundi'', according to Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline dates it to c1400,^(Etymonline) and Merriam-Webster to the 14th century.^(MWU 2024) The verb ''moulen'', to grow mouldy, is older: the Middle English Dictionary quotes it from the ''Ancrene Riwle'' (c1230).^(MED)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The modern verb ''to mold'', formed from the noun, is recorded probably before 1500 in the sense of allowing something to go mouldy, and since the mid-16th century in the sense of becoming mouldy,^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) the use Merriam-Webster dates to 1530;^(MWU 2024) it took over from the older ''moulen''.^(Barnhart 1988) The adjective [[moldy]] is recorded from 1570, replacing ''mowly'' (before 1398).^(Barnhart 1988) Spenser's use of the verb for a person rotting in idleness is now obsolete.^(MWU 2024) In Scots, Yorkshire and Lancashire dialect ''mould'' was also an adjective meaning mouldy.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c1230 – ''moulen'', to grow mouldy.^(MED)

+ * before 1398 – ''mowly'', mouldy.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1400 – a growth of fungus.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1500 – verb, to let become mouldy.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1530 – verb, to become mouldy.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1570 – ''moldy''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A furry or woolly growth of tiny fungi that forms on food, damp walls and other [[organic]] matter.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # A [[fungus]] that produces such a growth.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To become covered with mold: ''The cheese had molded at the edges.''^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[moldy]]

+

+ {{homograph|3|soil}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Old English (before 725)|origins=gem-pro *muldō}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ This word is [[inh|enm|molde]], [[inh|ang|molde|t=earth, dust, sand, soil; land, world]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Bosworth-Toller)^(Holthausen 1934) [[inh|gem-pro|*muldō]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Orel 2003) with [[m|ofs|molde]], [[m|dum|moude]], [[m|goh|molta|t=dust, earth]], [[m|non|mold|t=earth]] and [[m|got|𐌼𐌿𐌻𐌳𐌰|tr=mulda|t=dust]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(Holthausen 1934) Orel and Klein explain it as an old participle, "that which is ground", from the root [[ine-pro|*melh₂-|t=to grind]],^(Orel 2003)^(Klein 1966) so that it is related to [[meal]], ground grain.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Loose earth, dust or soil: Old English, before 725.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) Bosworth-Toller's examples include the dust of a holy place carried away for healing in Bede.^(Bosworth-Toller)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From late Old English the word was used for the earth of the grave,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) and since about 1300 also for the earth or dust out of which God made man and to which the body returns.^(Etymonline) The sense "soil rich in humus, garden soil" is recorded from the 14th century,^(Hoad 1986) and survives in ''leaf mold''.^(MWU 2024) ''The mold'' for the surface of the earth, or the grave, lingered in literary and dialect use,^(MWU 2024) and Scottish and northern English dialects used ''the moulds'' for the grave.^(Wright 1898) The [[moldboard]] of a plough, which turns the earth, is recorded from 1508.^(Barnhart 1988) The verb, to cover the roots of plants with soil, is recorded from the early 17th century and is now chiefly American and dialect.^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline quotes the Century Dictionary (1897) that ''mold'' is the proper spelling, like ''gold'', although ''mould'' was still preferred in Britain.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 725 – loose earth, dust, soil.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late Old English – the earth of the grave.^(Etymonline)

+ * c1300 – the earth from which man was made.^(Etymonline)

+ * 14th century – soil rich in humus.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1508 – ''moldboard''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 17th century – verb, to earth up plants.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Loose, soft [[soil]] that is rich in [[humus]], suited to growing plants.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # (archaic, dialect) The ground; the earth of the [[grave]].^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # (chiefly US and dialect) To cover the roots of plants with soil; to earth up.^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[moldboard]]

+ * [[leaf mold]]

+ * [[molder]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[model]]

+ * [[module]]

+ * [[mode]]

+ * [[meal]]

+ * [[mull]]

+ * [[muggy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}