moulderyadj.
/ˈməʊld(ə)ri/, U.S. /ˈmoʊldəri/ Now English regional (East Anglian).
Of soil: crumbly, friable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > earth or soil > soil qualities > [adjective] > friable
lightc1400
resolute?1440
mouldery1600
murly1600
murling1610
chessom1626
open1647
putrid1656
overlight1707
shattery1728
well-broke1796
the world > matter > constitution of matter > lack of density > [adjective] > loose texture > lacking cohesion > friable or crumbly
crumbly?1523
friable1563
crummy1567
mouldery1600
short1607
bruisable1611
powdery1657
brashya1722
pulverulent1794
powderous1863
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. xxxiii. 492 The walnut tree..especially delighteth in a fat, mouldrie, light..ground.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 184 A hollow vault of a soft mouldrie stone.
1776 Ld. Kames Gentleman Farmer i. xii. 256 Lay behind the border all the surface of the intended ditch, champed small with the spade, and upon it lay the mouldery earth that fell from the spade in cutting the said surface.
1797 J. Abercrombie Universal Gardener & Botanist (ed. 2) at Compost A loamy fattish Compost, of a pliable mouldery temperature, is particularly well adapted to most sorts of trees and shrubs.
1895 W. Rye Gloss. Words E. Anglia Muldry, said of earth greatly affected by the frost, finely pulverized.
a1903 A. G. Fulcher in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1903) IV. 177/1 [Norfolk] Mouldery, of the soil: easy to work, friable.
1960 A. O. D. Claxton Suffolk Dial. 20th Cent. (ed. 2) 56 Multry, in good tilth, said of earth.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1600