mulch

Meaning

Noun

Any material used to cover the top layer of soil to protect, insulate, or decorate it, or to discourage weeds or retain moisture.

Verb

1. To apply mulch.
2. To turn into mulch.

Synonyms

capping

cover

covering

fertilizer

ground cover

litter

mantle

overburden

overlay

paillasse

pallet

palliasse

thatch

tectum

groundcover

overburden layer

overlying stratum

cover material

surface mulch

Translations

Mulch

paillis

mulch

pailler

pacciame

mantillo

mulch

mulchen

bodembedekking

pacciamatura

paillage

muls

Pronounced as (IPA)

/mʌlt͡ʃ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: melsche

Inherited from Old English: melsċ

Cognate with Icelandic: milska

In summary

Probably from Middle English melsche, molsh (“soft”), from Old English melsċ, milisċ (“mellow; mild; sweet”, literally “honeyed”), probably from Proto-Germanic *mili (“honey”). Compare Icelandic milska (“a honeyed beverage”).