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mildew

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(mil′do̵̅o̅′, -dyo̵̅o̅′)

noun

a thin, furry, usually whitish coating or discoloration, caused by a fungus, that forms on the surface of various plants, on organic matter, or on damp paper, cloth, bathroom tiles, etc.
any fungus that attacks various plants or that produces such a coating or discoloration
any plant disease, as powdery mildew, caused by such fungus

Origin: ME mildewe < OE meledeaw, nectar, lit., honeydew, akin to Goth milith, honey < IE base *melit- (> L mel, Gr meli, honey) + base of OE deaw, dew

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to affect or become affected with mildew

Related Forms:

mildewy adjective

See mildew in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of various fungi that form a superficial, usually whitish growth on plants and various organic materials.
A superficial coating or discoloration of organic materials, such as cloth, paper, or leather, caused by fungi, especially under damp conditions.
A plant disease caused by such fungi.

tr. & intr.v. mil·dewed, mil·dew·ing, mil·dews

To affect or become affected with mildew.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English mildēaw, honeydew, nectar; see melit- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: