Mildew
Mildew , noun
[Anglo-Saxon meledeáw; akin to Old High German militou, German mehlthau, mehltau; prob. orig. meaning, honeydew; compare Gothic milip honey. See Mellifluous, and Dew.]
(Botany) A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying substances.
Collocations (1)
powdery mildew , a fungal disease of plants caused by an ascomycete of the order Erysiphales, characterized by a powdery white film on the surface of the affected plants. It is damaging to, for example, roses and lilacs. Also, a fungus that causes such a disease.
Mildew , transitive verb
To taint with mildew; as, mildewed clothing.
He... mildews the white wheat.
Mildew , intransitive verb
To become tainted with mildew.