Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MOLD, n.¹ [Sax. mold, molda, myl; W. mol; D. and Dan. mul; Sw. and G. mull; probably allied to mellow; L. mollis. See Mellow, Meal and Mill. It is incorrectly written Mould.]

1. Fine soft earth, or earth easily pulverized; such as constitutes soil; as, black mold. Ed. W. Indies. A mortal substance of terrestrial mold. Hoole.
2. A substance like down which forms on bodies which lie long in warm and damp air. The microscope exhibits this substance as consisting of small plants. Encyc.
3. Matter of which any thing is formed. Nature formed me of her softest mold. Addison.