rust
rust definition
rust (rust)
noun
- the reddish-brown or reddish-yellow coating formed on iron or steel by oxidation, as during exposure to air and moisture: it consists mainly of ferric oxide, FeO, and ferric hydroxide, Fe(OH)
- any coating or film formed on any other metal by oxidation or corrosion
- any stain or formation resembling iron rust
- any habit, influence, growth, etc. injurious to usefulness, to the mind or character, etc.
- disuse of mental or moral powers; inactivity; idleness
- the color of iron rust; reddish brown or reddish yellow
- Bot.
- any of various plant diseases characterized by a spotted reddish or brownish discoloration of stems and leaves
- any of an order (Uredinales) of basidiomycetous fungi causing rustin full rust fungus
Etymology: ME < OE, akin to Ger rost < IE base *reudh-, red
intransitive verb, transitive verb
- to affect or be affected by a rust fungus
- to become or cause to be coated with rust, as iron
- to deteriorate or spoil, as through disuse a mind that has rusted
- to become or make rust-colored
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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