mildew
pronunciation
How to pronounce mildew in British English:
UK [ˈmɪldju:]
How to pronounce mildew in American English:
US [ˈmɪldu]
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- Noun:
- the process of becoming mildewed
- a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter
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- Verb:
- become moldy; spoil due to humidity
Word Origin
- mildew
- mildew: [OE] Mildew originally meant ‘honeydew’ (which is a sort of sticky substance exuded by aphids and similar insects on to leaves). It is a compound noun formed in the prehistoric Germanic period from *melith ‘honey’ (a relative of Latin mel ‘honey’, source of English mellifluous and molasses) and *daw-waz, ancestor of English dew. The metaphorical transference from ‘honey-dew’ to a less pleasant, fungal growth on plants, etc took place in the 14th century.=> dew, mellifluous, molasses
- mildew (n.)
- mid-13c., mildeu "honeydew, nectar," from Old English meledeaw "honeydew" (sticky stuff exuded by aphids), from Proto-Germanic compound of *melith "honey" (see Melissa) + *dawwaz "dew" (see dew). Similar formation in Old Saxon milidou, Dutch meeldauw, German Meltau "mildew." First element in many cases assimilated to forms of meal (n.2) "ground grain." As a kind of fungus it is first recorded mid-14c., so called from its being sticky and originally growing in plants. As a verb from 1550s. Related: Mildewed.