mold

plural molds · alternative Commonwealth mould

1. UScountableuncountableA hollow form or matrix for shaping a fluid or plastic substance.
2. UScountableuncountableA frame or model around or on which something is formed or shaped.
3. UScountableuncountableSomething that is made in or shaped on a mold.
4. UScountableuncountableThe shape or pattern of a mold.
5. UScountableuncountableGeneral shape or form.

   the oval mold of her face

   2 more examples

   Crowned with an architrave of antique mould.

   1711, Alexander Pope, "The Temple of Fame", in The Works of Alexander Pope: New Ed. Including Several Hundred Unpublished Letters, and Other New Materials, Collected in Part by John Wilson Croker. With Introd. and Notes by Whitwell Elwin, Volume 1, J.Murray, p.206

   This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking.[…]Indeed, all his features were in large mold, like the man himself, as though he had come from a day when skin garments made the proper garb of men.

   1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

6. UScountableuncountableDistinctive character or type.

   a leader in the mold of her predecessors

7. UScountableuncountableA fixed or restrictive pattern or form.

   His method of scientific investigation broke the mold and led to a new discovery.

8. UScountableuncountablearchitectureA group of moldings.

   the arch mold of a porch or doorway;  the pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of parts

9. UScountableuncountableanatomyA fontanelle.

present singular third person molds · participle present molding · participle past molded · past molded · alternative Commonwealth mould

1. UStransitiveTo shape in or on a mold; to form into a particular shape; to give shape to.

   Your hands shaped me and made me … Remember that you molded me like clay.

   1978, Job 10:8-9, Old Testament, New International Version

   1 more example

   Not only in formal discourse, but in the ordinary walks of life, a well-modulated, expressive voice is a most valuable asset, whether one’s object be to interest, persuade or convince, to give a command or entreat a favor. The moulding of the voice into finished articulate speech is a mechanism in which the entire oral cavity, including palate, teeth, tongue and lips, take an important part. As a result of either structural defect of these organs, or, as is more often the case, as a consequence of their imperfect innervation, various logopathies may occur, which profoundly affect the social status of the unfortunate individual and seriously embarrass his way to a successful career. Lisping, stuttering, stammering, lallation, nunnation and sigmatism, paragammacism and paralambdacism are but few of the locutory evils encountered, much too frequently in adolescents and adults. The fact that they are mostly amenable to treatment and may often be completely corrected, with proper attention and training, is something that needs to be more thoroughly impressed upon our educational bodies and sociologic reformers.

   1910, Walter A. Wells, “The hygienic, economic and sociologic aspect of the throat”, in The Laryngoscope, volume 20, number 1, →DOI, pages 47–48

2. UStransitiveTo guide or determine the growth or development of; influence

   It is you who must mold the minds of your students that they may be wise, farsighted, intelligent, profound in their thinking, devoted to their country and government and fruitful in their work. It is you who must sense as the example.

   1963. Haile Selassie (translated)

3. UStransitiveTo fit closely by following the contours of.
4. UStransitiveTo make a mold of or from (molten metal, for example) before casting.
5. UStransitiveTo ornament with moldings.
6. USintransitiveTo be shaped in or as if in a mold.

   These shoes gradually molded to my feet.

plural molds · alternative Commonwealth mould

1. UScountableuncountableA natural substance in the form of a furry or woolly growth of tiny fungi that appears when organic material lies for a long time exposed to (usually warm and moist) air.

   She took the cheese out of the refrigerator and inspected it for mold.

   Synonyms: moulder

2. UScountableuncountableA fungus that creates such furry growths.

present singular third person molds · participle present molding · participle past molded · past molded · alternative Commonwealth mould

1. UStransitiveTo cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
2. USintransitiveTo become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.

plural molds · alternative mool · alternative mould · alternative Commonwealth mould

1. UScountableuncountableLoose friable soil, rich in humus and fit for planting.
2. UKUScountabledialectalpluraluncountableEarth, ground.

present singular third person molds · participle present molding · participle past molded · past molded · alternative Commonwealth mould

1. USTo cover with mold or soil.

alternative mould · alternative Commonwealth mould

1. USdialectalobsoleteuncountableThe top or crown of the head.

   What a while continueth the mould and crowne of our heads to beate and pant, before our braine is well ſetled[…]

   1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “[Book VII.] The Proëme.”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], 1st tome, London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC, page 152

   2 more examples

   By reaſon whereof the flaſhing of the Water, and ſharpness of the Air, did ſo pierce the Archbiſhop (being above Threeſcore and thirteen years of Age) that he complained the ſame night of a great cold, which he had then taken in the mould of his Head.

   1612, Sir George Paule, The life of John Whitgift […] , London: Ri. Chiswell, published 1699, page 118

   […]its eyes as large as a mans; and betwixt the two eyes, it hath a hole like the mould in the head of a man, by which it ſucks in and ſpouts out the Water[…]

   1687, Jean de Thévenot, “Book I, Chapter II”, in Archibald Lovell, transl., Travels into the Levant, volume Part II, London, page 6

1. A town and community in and the county town of Flintshire, Wales (OS grid ref SJ2364).
2. An unincorporated community in Douglas County, Washington, United States.
3. A surname.

plural MoLDs · alternative MOLD

1. abbreviationacronyminformalAcronym of Moon landing denial.
2. abbreviationacronyminformalAcronym of Moon landing denier.

   Synonyms: MoLDer