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Glite Dictionary
water mold

water mold

7.0
A small living thing like a fungus that lives in fresh water and can harm plants or animals
  • noun
  • /ˈwɔːtər moʊld/
  • Specialized
translation icon : moho acuático
  • Many species of water mold can infect fish and amphibians in freshwater habitats.

Examples

  • Phytophthora infestans, a notorious water mold, caused the Irish potato famine.

  • The crops were devastated by a water mold that thrived in damp soil.

  • The water mold thrived in the warm, damp environment.

  • Many types of water molds can be found in lakes.

  • The water mold Phytophthora causes significant damage to crops by infecting the roots.

  • In laboratory studies, researchers observed that the water mold thrived in environments with high moisture levels.

  • Water molds can reproduce quickly in stagnant ponds, where they feed on decaying water mold organic matter.

Surface Forms

water mold singular
water molds plural

Morphology

water + mold

The meaning 'a mold that lives in water or very damp environments' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'water' (aquatic/moist environment) with 'mold' (a fuzzy fungus-like growth). This straightforward noun-noun compounding follows common English and cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the intended sense (noting that the scientific distinction from true fungi is a specialist detail).

Etymology

Water mold is a name made from water and mold, so it gives the image of a fuzzy growth living in wet places. That's why it means a kind of living thing that 'lives in water' or in 'damp soil' and can damage plants, fish, or crops.