mildew, mold, mould (noun)

the process of becoming mildewed

mildew (verb)

a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter

mold, mildew (verb)

become moldy; spoil due to humidity

"The furniture molded in the old house"

mildew (Noun)

A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying substances.

mildew (Verb)

To taint with mildew.

mildew (Verb)

To become tainted with mildew.

Mildew

In horticulture, mildew is fungi in the order Erysiphales. It is also used more generally to mean mold growth. In Old English, it meant honeydew, and later came to mean mildew in the modern sense of mold or fungus.

Mildew

Mildew is a form of fungus. It is distinguished from its closely related counterpart, mould, largely by its colour: moulds appear in shades of black, blue, red, and green, whereas mildew is white. It appears as a thin, superficial growth consisting of minute hyphae (fungal filaments) produced especially on living plants or organic matter such as wood, paper or leather. Both mould and mildew produce distinct offensive odours, and both have been identified as the cause of certain human ailments. In horticulture, mildew is either species of fungus in the order Erysiphales, or fungus-like organisms in the family Peronosporaceae. It is also used more generally to mean mould growth. In Old English, mildew meant honeydew (a substance secreted by aphids on leaves, formerly thought to distill from the air like dew), and later came to mean mould or fungus. Mildew grows on damp cloth, leather, or on plants, and growing on leaves can damage the plant.