Mold, Mould, n.
Etymology: [OE. molde, OF. mole, F. moule, fr. L. modulus. See Model.]
[For spelling, see 2d Mold, above.]
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.
6 more senses
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.
7 other Webster entries under this spelling
Mold, n.
A spot; a blemish; a mole. [Obs.] Spenser.
Mold, Mould, n.
[The prevalent spelling is, perhaps, mould; but as the u has not been inserted in the other words of this class, as bold, gold, old, cold, etc., it seems desirable to complete the analogy by dropping it from this word, thus spelling it as Spenser, South, and many others did. The omission of the u is now very common in America.]
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.
Mold, Mould, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Molded or Moulded; p. pr. & vb. n. Molding or Moulding.]
To cover with mold or soil. [R.]
Mold, Mould, n.
(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.
Note: 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, v. t.
To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
Mold, Mould, v. i.
To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.
Mold, Mould, v. t.
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for mold; he lists it under bend, govern, model.
Where he writes about it:
Mold is a stronger work than bend; we may bend by a superior force that which still resists the constraint; as, a bent bow; we mold something plastic entirely to some desired form. — from bend
To rule is more absolute and autocratic than to govern; to sway is to move by quiet but effectual influence; to mold is not only to influence feeling and action, but to shape character; to manage is to secure by skilful contrivance the doing of one's will by those whom one can not directly control; a wise mother, by gentle means, sways the feelings and molds the lives of her children; to be able to manage servants is an important element of good housekeeping. — from govern