First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1dust
noun \ˈdəst\
: fine dry powder that builds up inside buildings on surfaces that have not recently been cleaned
: fine powder made up of very small pieces of earth or sand
: fine powder made from a particular substance
Full Definition of DUST
1
: fine particles of matter (as of earth)
2
: the particles into which something disintegrates
3
a : something worthless b : a state of humiliation
4
a : the earth especially as a place of burial b : the surface of the ground
5
a : a cloud of dust b : confusion, disturbance
6
archaic : a single particle (as of earth)
7
British : refuse ready for collection
— dust·less \-ləs\ adjective
— dust·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
See dust defined for English-language learners
See dust defined for kids
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Origin of DUST
Middle English, from Old English dūst; akin to Old High German tunst storm, and probably to Latin fumus smoke — more at fume
Related to DUST
2dust
verb
: to make (something) clean by brushing or wiping dirt and dust from the surface
: to cover (something) with a fine powder
Full Definition of DUST
transitive verb
1
archaic : to make dusty
2
: to make free of dust <dust the living room>
3
a : to sprinkle with fine particles <a cake dusted with sugar> b : to sprinkle in the form of dust
4
: to throw a fastball close to (a batter) : brush back —often used with off
5
: to defeat badly (as in a race)
intransitive verb
1
of a bird : to work dust into the feathers
2
: to remove dust
3
: to give off dust
See dust defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DUST
1530
DUST Defined for Kids
1dust
noun \ˈdəst\
Definition of DUST for Kids
1
: fine dry powdery particles (as of earth) : a fine powder that often builds up on furniture
2
: a fine powder made from a particular substance or from something that has disintegrated <gold dust>
3
: the surface of the ground <The horses pawed at the dust.>
2dust
verb
dust·eddust·ing
Definition of DUST for Kids
1
: to make free of dust : brush or wipe away dust <dust furniture>
2
: to sprinkle with or as if with fine particles <Dust the pan with flour.>
— dust·er \ˈdə-stər\ noun
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