mold

{{11}}mold (n.¹) also mould, "hollow shape," c.1200, originally "fashion, form; nature, native constitution, character," metathesized from O.Fr. modle "model, plan, copy; way, manner" (12c., Mod.Fr. moule), from L. modulum (nom. modulus) "measure, model," dim. of modus "manner" (see MODE (Cf. mode) (1)). From c.1300 as "pattern or model by which something is shaped or made." To break the mold "render impossible the creation of another" is from 1560s.

{{12}}mold (n.²) also mould, "furry fungus," early 15c., probably from moulde, pp. of moulen "to grow moldy" (early 13c.), related to O.N. mygla "grow moldy," possibly from P.Gmc. * (s)muk- indicating "wetness, slipperiness," from PIE *meug- (see MUCUS (Cf. mucus)). Or it might have evolved from (or been influenced by) O.E. molde "loose earth" (see MOLD (Cf. mold) (n.³)).

{{12}}mold (n.³) also mould, "loose earth," O.E. molde "earth, sand, dust, soil; land, country, world," from P.Gmc. *mulda (Cf. O.Fris. molde "earth, soil," O.N. mold "earth," M.Du. moude, Du. moude, O.H.G. molta "dust, earth," Goth. mulda "dust"), from PIE root *mele- "to rub, grind" (see MEAL (Cf. meal) (n.²)). Specifically, since late (Christian) Old English, "the earth of the grave."

{{13}}mold (v.) also mould, mid-14c., "to mix, blend;" late 14c. "to knead, shape," from MOLD (Cf. mold) (n.¹). Figurative sense (of character, etc.) is from c.1600. Related: Molded; molding.