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/ˈməʊldə/ · verb
Often followed by away or down: to cause (something) to decay or rot, or to crumble to pieces..
In a certaine kingdome of theſe late-diſcovered Indies, vpon the day of a ſolemne proceſſion, in vvhich the Idoles they adore, are publikely caried vpo and dovvne, […] there are numbered of others ſeene, vvho proſtrating themſelves alongſt vpon the ground, endure very paciently to be mouldred and cruſhed to death, vnder the Chariots vvheeles, thinking thereby to purchaſe after their death, a veneration of holineſſe, of vvhich they are not defrauded.
[S]harp and corroding rheums had so early mouldered those rocks and hardest parts of his fabric [teeth], that a man might well conceive that his years were never like to double or twice tell over his teeth.
How many men have we seen moulder and crumble away great estates, and yet pay no debts?
In buyldinge of a fortreſſe or other honorable mantion⸝ it aught to be well conſidered that the cement⸝ wherewith the ſtones be layde⸝ be firme and well bindynge. For if it be brokle ⁊ will mouldre a way with euery ſhowre of raine⸝ the buyldynge may nat contynewe⸝ […]
To them [the Muses] Great WILLIAM's Glory to recal / VVhen Statues moulder, and vvhen Arches fall.
[H]is [Time's] gradual touch / Has moulder'd into beauty many a tovver, / VVhich, vvhen it frovvn'd vvith all its battlements, / VVas only terrible: […]
Three hundred years of peace, enjoyed by the ſoft inhabitants of Aſia, had aboliſhed the exerciſe of arms, and removed the apprehenſion of danger. The ancient vvalls vvere ſuffered to moulder avvay, and all the revenue of the moſt opulent cities vvas referred for the conſtruction of baths, temples, and theatres.
Use moulder when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.
Moulder means Often followed by away or down: to cause (something) to decay or rot, or to crumble to pieces..
Common synonyms include mould, decompose, rot, molder.
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
In a certaine kingdome of theſe late-diſcovered Indies, vpon the day of a ſolemne proceſſion, in vvhich the Idoles they adore, are publikely caried vpo and dovvne, […] there are numbered of others ſeene, vvho proſtrating themſelves alongſt vpon the ground, endure very paciently to be mouldred and cruſhed to death, vnder the Chariots vvheeles, thinking thereby to purchaſe after their death, a veneration of holineſſe, of vvhich they are not defrauded.
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So well had the embalmers done their part / With spice and precious unguents, to imbue / The perfect corpse, that each had still the hue / Of living man, […] / The robes of royalty which once they wore, / Long since had mouldered off and left them bare: / Naked upon their thrones behold them there, / Statues of actual flesh, … a fearful sight!