mott|led /mɒ t ə ld/ ADJ Something that is mottled is covered with patches of different colours which do not form a regular pattern. □ …mottled green and yellow leaves.
mot|to /mɒ toʊ/ (mottoes or mottos ) N‑COUNT [oft with poss] A motto is a short sentence or phrase that expresses a rule for sensible behaviour, especially a way of behaving in a particular situation. □ Our motto is 'Plan for the worst and hope for the best'.
mould /moʊ ld/ (moulds , moulding , moulded ) in AM, use mold 1 N‑COUNT A mould is a hollow container that you pour liquid into. When the liquid becomes solid, it takes the same shape as the mould. □ Spoon the mixture carefully into the mould. □ …jelly moulds.
2 N‑COUNT If a person fits into or is cast in a mould of a particular kind, they have the characteristics, attitudes, behaviour, or lifestyle that are typical of that type of person. □ In Britain, political leaders come from the same mould: same education, same schools. ● PHRASE If you say that someone breaks the mould , you mean that they do completely different things from what has been done before or from what is usually done. □ Memorial services have become tedious and expected. I would like to help break the mould.
3 VERB If you mould a soft substance such as plastic or clay, you make it into a particular shape or into an object. □ [V n + into ] Using 2 spoons, mould the cheese mixture into small balls or ovals.
4 VERB To mould someone or something means to change or influence them over a period of time so that they develop in a particular way. □ [V n] She was only 17 at the time and the experience moulded her personality. □ [V n + into ] Too often we try to mold our children into something they do not wish to be.
5 VERB When something moulds to an object or when you mould it there, it fits round the object tightly so that the shape of the object can still be seen. □ [V + to/around/round ] You need a malleable pillow that will mould to the curves of your neck. □ [V n + around/round/to ] She stood there, the wind moulding the dress around her.
6 N‑VAR Mould is a soft grey, green, or blue substance that sometimes forms in spots on old food or on damp walls or clothes.
7 → see also leaf mould
mould|er /moʊ ldə r / (moulders , mouldering , mouldered ) in AM, use molder VERB [usu cont] If something is mouldering , it is decaying slowly where it has been left. □ [V ] …one of your scripts that's been mouldering under the bed for ages. □ [V ] It is clear that such ideas will be left to moulder. □ [V -ing] …the empty, mouldering old house.
mould|ing /moʊ ld I ŋ/ (mouldings ) in AM, use molding N‑COUNT A moulding is a strip of plaster or wood along the top of a wall or round a door, which has been made into an ornamental shape or decorated with a pattern.
mouldy /moʊ ldi/ in AM, use moldy ADJ Something that is mouldy is covered with mould. □ …mouldy bread. □ Oranges can be kept for a long time without going mouldy.
moult /moʊ lt/ (moults , moulting , moulted ) in AM, use molt VERB When an animal or bird moults , it gradually loses its coat or feathers so that a new coat or feathers can grow. □ [V ] Finches start to moult at around twelve weeks of age.
mound /maʊ nd/ (mounds )
1 N‑COUNT A mound of something is a large rounded pile of it. □ [+ of ] The bulldozers piled up huge mounds of dirt.
2 N‑COUNT In baseball, the mound is the raised area where the pitcher stands when he or she throws the ball.
mount ◆◇◇ /maʊ nt/ (mounts , mounting , mounted )
1 VERB If you mount a campaign or event, you organize it and make it take place. □ [V n] …a security operation mounted by the army.
2 VERB If something mounts , it increases in intensity. □ [V ] For several hours, tension mounted. □ [V -ing] There was mounting concern in her voice.
3 VERB If something mounts , it increases in quantity. □ [V ] The uncollected garbage mounts in city streets. □ [V -ing] He ignored his mounting debts. ● PHRASAL VERB To mount up means the same as to mount . □ [V P ] Her medical bills mounted up.
4 VERB If you mount the stairs or a platform, you go up the stairs or go up onto the platform. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Llewelyn was mounting the stairs up into the keep.
5 VERB If you mount a horse or cycle, you climb on to it so that you can ride it. □ [V n] A man in a crash helmet was mounting a motorbike. □ [V ] He harnessed his horse, mounted, and rode out to the beach.
6 VERB If you mount an object on something, you fix it there firmly. □ [V n + on ] Ella mounts the work on velour paper and makes the frame. □ [V -ed] …a specially mounted horse shoe. [Also V n] ● -mounted COMB □ …a wall-mounted electric fan.
7 VERB If you mount an exhibition or display, you organize and present it. □ [V n] The gallery has mounted an exhibition of art by Irish women painters.
8 N‑COUNT Mount is used as part of the name of a mountain. □ …Mount Everest.
9 → see also mounted
▸ mount up → see mount 3 SYNONYMS mount VERB 1
increase: We are experiencing an increasing number of problems.