mildew
[ mil-doo, -dyoo ]
/ ˈmɪlˌdu, -ˌdyu /
noun
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.
any of these fungi.
Compare downy mildew, powdery mildew.
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)
to affect or become affected with mildew.
Origin of mildew
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
OTHER WORDS FROM mildew
mil·dew·y, adjective un·mil·dewed, adjectiveWords nearby mildew
mild,
mild mercurous chloride,
mild silver protein,
mild steel,
milden,
mildew,
mildewcide,
mildewproof,
mildly,
mildred,
mile
Example sentences from the Web for mildewed
British Dictionary definitions for mildewed
mildew
/ (ˈmɪlˌdjuː) /
noun
any of various diseases of plants that affect mainly the leaves and are caused by parasitic fungi
See also downy mildew, powdery mildew
any fungus causing this kind of disease
another name for mould 2
verb
to affect or become affected with mildew
Derived forms of mildew
mildewy, adjectiveWord Origin for mildew
Old English
mildēaw, from
mil- honey (compare Latin
mel, Greek
mēli) +
dēaw
dew
Scientific definitions for mildewed
mildew
[ mĭl′dōō′ ]
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.