mildew

[ mil-doo, -dyoo ]

noun

1. Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a cottony, usually whitish coating on the surface of affected parts, caused by any of various fungi.
2. any of these fungi. Compare downy mildew, powdery mildew.
3. any of similar coatings or discolorations, caused by fungi, as that which appears on fabrics, paper, leather, etc., when exposed to moisture.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to affect or become affected with mildew.

mildew

/ ˈmɪlˌdjuː /

noun

1. any of various diseases of plants that affect mainly the leaves and are caused by parasitic fungi See also downy mildew powdery mildew
2. any fungus causing this kind of disease
3. another name for mould 2

verb

1. to affect or become affected with mildew

mildew

/ mĭl′do̅o̅′ /

1. Any of various fungi or oomycete organisms that form a white or grayish coating on surfaces, such as plant leaves, cloth, or leather, especially under damp, warm conditions. Powdery mildews are important plant diseases usually caused by ascomycete fungi, while downy mildews, including a serious disease of grapevines, are caused by oomycetes.

Derived Forms

• ˈmilˌdewy, adjective

Other Words From

• mildewy adjective
• un·mildewed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mildew¹

before 1000; Middle English: honeydew, mildew; Old English mildēaw, equivalent to mil- honey (cognate with Gothic milith, akin to Latin mel, Greek méli ) + dēaw dew

Word History and Origins

Origin of mildew¹

Old English mildēaw, from mil- honey (compare Latin mel, Greek mēli ) + dēaw dew

Example Sentences

Moist heating pads can also welcome mold and mildew if they aren’t maintained properly.

From Popular-Science

A musty smell often wafted through the hallways, and mildew rings stained ceiling tiles.

From ProPublica

These are the best pressure washers for cars and accomplishing other modest goals like removing dirt, loose paint, and mildew from outdoor surfaces.

From Popular-Science

They regularly do away with soap scum and dirt, but mildew stains may require more precise cleaning tools.

From Popular-Science

Dampness is a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and mildew.

From Washington Post

“Better to wash dirty linen in public than have it grow mildew in a dark cupboard,” a party insider told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

"Then the rainiest June since the 1950s helped the spread of downy and powdery mildew" he told The Telegraph.

From The Daily Beast

But the withering mildew was now breathed forth, that was intended to blast this goodly harvest.

From Project Gutenberg

But this soon died away and they sat about, swapping lies that were white with the mildew of time.

From Project Gutenberg

Several tunics, rotten with mildew, hung across one of the three chairs about the table.

From Project Gutenberg

The Armarius bound the books in wooden covers to preserve the parchment from mildew and damp.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou fell blight, thou eastern blast, thou overspreading mildew, that destroyest the early promises of the shining year!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blight
• mold