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dust definition

dust (dust)

noun

  1. powdery earth or other matter in bits fine enough to be easily suspended in air
  2. a cloud of such matter
  3. confusion; turmoil
    1. earth, esp. as the place of burial
    2. mortal remains disintegrated or thought of as disintegrating to earth or dust
  4. a humble or abject condition
  5. anything worthless
  6. Brit. ashes, rubbish, etc.
  7. pollen
  8. gold dust
  9. Archaic a particle

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to MLowG: for IE base see dun

transitive verb

  1. to sprinkle with dust or a fine powdery substance to dust crops with an insecticide
  2. to sprinkle (powder, etc.) on something
  3. to rid of dust, as by brushing, shaking, or wiping: often with off
  4. Archaic to make dusty

intransitive verb

  1. to remove dust, esp. from furniture, floors, etc.
  2. to bathe in dust: said of a bird
dust Idioms

bite the dust

Informal to die, esp. in battle

dust off

Informal to prepare to use

lick the dust

to be servile; grovel: cf. Mic. 7:17

make the dust fly

  1. to act energetically
  2. to move swiftly

shake the dust off one's feet

to leave with disdain or contempt: cf. Matt. 10:14

throw dust in someone's eyes

to mislead or deceive someone

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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