English Explanatory Dictionary

mildew

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying substances.
verb
  1. To taint with mildew.
  2. To become tainted with mildew.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɪl.djuː/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-mildew.wav /ˈmɪl.d(j)u/

Word forms

mildew mildews mildewing mildewed

Etymology

From Middle English myldew, from Old English meledēaw, mildēaw, from Proto-West Germanic *milidauw, from *mili (“honey”) + *dauw (“dew”). Compare West Frisian moaldau, Dutch meeldauw, German Mehltau. More at dew.

Related words

mould mold

Derived words

antimildew downy mildew mildewcidal mildewcide mildewed mildewer mildewproof mildewy powdery mildew unmildewed wheat mildew
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