dust en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
From Middle English dust, doust, from Old English dūst (“dust, dried earth reduced to powder; other dry material reduced to powder”), from the fusion of Proto-Germanic *dustą (“dust”) and *dunstą (“mist, dust, evaporation”), both from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewh₂- (“to smoke, raise dust”). Cognate with Scots dust, dist (“dust”), Dutch duist (“pollen, dust”) and dons (“down, fuzz”), German Dust (“dust”) and Dunst (“haze”), Swedish dust (“dust”), Icelandic dust (“dust”), Latin fūmus (“smoke, steam”). Also related to Swedish dun (“down, fluff”), Icelandic dúnn (“down, fluff”). See down.
Meanings
-
(uncountable) Fine particles. ▸ Fine, dry particles of matter found in the air and covering the surface of objects, typically consisting of soil lifted up by the wind, pollen, hair, fiber debris, dead skin cells, etc.
There is so much dust released during the process of laying ballast that the trackside operator wears a full face mask with respirator.
2022 September 7, “East-West track laying heads westwards”, in RAIL, number 965, page 37, photo caption:
- (uncountable) Fine particles. ▸ Any substance reduced to fine particles; powder.
-
(uncountable) Fine particles. ▸ Submicron particles in outer space, largely silicates and carbon compounds, that contribute greatly to extinction at visible wavelengths.
Astronomers have previously considered that dust produced by the star was obscuring it, causing the steep decline in brightness.
2020 June 29, Paun Rincon, “Betelgeuse: Nearby ‘supernova’ star’s dimming explained”, in BBC News:
- (qualifier:occupational health, uncountable) Fine particles. ▸ Disintegration of a solid, like silica.
- (Australia, dated, slang, uncountable) Fine particles. ▸ Flour.
-
(countable, obsolete) Fine particles. ▸ A single fine, dry particle of earth or other material; grain of dust.
to touch a dust of England’s ground
1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:
-
(countable) The act of cleaning by dusting.
[…]once they start school, I mean you can do a room out one day, the next day it only needs a dust, doesn’t it?
2010, Joan Busfield, Michael Paddon, Thinking About Children: Sociology and Fertility in Post-War England, page 150:
- (countable) The act of sprinkling dust, or a sprinkle of dust itself.
-
(countable, poetic, uncountable) Earth, ground, soil, sediment.
But I should turn mine ears and hear The moanings of the homeless sea, The sound of streams that swift or slow Draw down Æonian hills, and sow The dust of continents to be; […]
1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXXV”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 54:
-
(countable, uncountable) The earth as the resting place of the dead.
For now shall I sleep in the dust.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 7:21:
-
(countable, uncountable) The earthly remains of bodies once alive; the remains of the human body.
For I will leave my relics in your land, / And you may carve a shrine about my dust, / And burn a fragrant lamp before my bones, / When I am gather’d to the glorious saints.
1833 (date written), Alfred Tennyson, “St. Simeon Stylites”, in Poems. […], volume II, London: Edward Moxon, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 62:
- (countable, figuratively, uncountable) The substance of the human body or mortal frame.
-
(countable, figuratively, uncountable) Something worthless.
And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust.
c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
-
(countable, figuratively, uncountable) A low or mean condition.
[God] raiseth up the poor out of the dust.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Samuel 2:8:
- (UK, colloquial, countable, uncountable) Rubbish, garbage, refuse.
-
(countable, dated, slang, uncountable) cash; money (in reference to gold dust).
‘And what do you ask for it?’ ‘Fifteen thousand dollars.’ ‘I’ll take it.’ ‘Then down with the dust.’
1852, George Colvocoresses, Four Years in a Government Exploring Expedition:
- (countable) A cloud of dust.
-
(countable, figuratively) A tumult, disturbance, commotion, uproar.
to raise, or kick up, a dust
- (colloquial, countable) A fight or row.
- (countable) A totally disconnected set of points with a fractal structure.
- (countable, uncountable) Tiny amounts of cryptocurrency left over after a transaction due to rounding error.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| dusts | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
smart dust · microdust · dustman · brickdust · Cantor dust · dust mask · dustbug · Dust Bowl · shake the dust from one's sandals · dust cap · beat the dust · dusthead · dust-off · dustpile · extraterrestrial dust · cupel-dust · dust hole · bull dust · nanodust · dust-free · malt dust · fugitive dust · tobacco dust juice · gather dust · fairy dust · dustball · dustrag · smartdust · feather-dust · dustfree · dust beater · dust-colored · dustbathe · dry as dust · dust-up · milldust · Asian dust · space dust · sleepy dust · diamond dust · yarn dust · dustlike · brake dust · dust heap of history · heifer dust · shake off the dust from one's feet · van Stockum dust · lay the dust · dust plug · spy dust · dust-ridden · dust kitten · dust-tight · sleepy-dust · throw dust in someone's eyes · dust cover · jack-of-the-dust · magic dust · come down with the dust · dustpan · dust bathing · dustwoman · eat someone's dust · not see someone for dust · chalkdust · smelter dust · dustbowl · organic dust toxic syndrome · monkey dust · turn to dust · gold dust · termination dust · kiss the dust · dustbin · kick up dust · dustwrapper · dustless · dustproof · wait for the dust to settle · bread dust · small rain lays great dust · woofle dust · sawdust · dust-brand · dustfall · dustsheet · dust storm · leave someone in the dust · dustmat · dustout · bust the dust · dustperson · return to dust · devil's dust · dust box · dustcloud · bite the dust · dust cart · dustcover · dust bowl · dustbath · dust-coloured · coaldust · dustcloth · overdust · dustcoat · dust-out · eat my dust · dust jacket · dust kitty · down with one's dust · goofer dust · stardust · dust contractor · fig-dust · dust mote · catch dust · dustbag · dedust · copple dust · dust mouse · dustable · dustheap · leave for dust · dust shot · bark dust · coal dust · antidust · dhobi dust · dust devil · dustbox · sanderdust · dust filter · whoofle dust · dust bin · dust-collector · dust bunny · eraser dust · dusthole · lick the dust · dusty · dustboard · Dust-Hole · zodiacal dust · come down with one's dust · dust buster · dustling · bulldust · angel dust · dust settles · dustbrush · nondust · the dust settles · bedust · dust mite · down with the dust · collect dust · dust bath · dust ruffle · dust trap · moondust · dust bag · dust cloth · dustcart · make the dust fly · duststorm · gold-dust · pixie dust · cosmic dust · shake the dust from one's feet
Descendants
Translations (304)
th ผง (fine, dry particles) · gag тоз (fine, dry particles) · be пыл (fine, dry particles) · gd stùr (fine, dry particles) · vo püf (fine, dry particles) · ur غُبار (fine, dry particles) · izh pölly (fine, dry particles) · ang dūst (fine, dry particles) · ifk dap-ul (fine, dry particles) · zh хуэйтў (fine, dry particles) · atv тоос (fine, dry particles) · ur خاک (fine, dry particles) · sl prah (fine, dry particles) · dsb proch (fine, dry particles) · mrj пырак (fine, dry particles) · okz ធូលី (fine, dry particles) · fi tomu (fine, dry particles) · th ฝุ่น (fine, dry particles) · kmr xubar (fine, dry particles) · nb dust (fine, dry particles) · ace abee (fine, dry particles) · et tolm (fine, dry particles) · akk 𒅖 (fine, dry particles) · ps ږږ (fine, dry particles) · haw ʻehu (fine, dry particles) · uk пил (fine, dry particles) · kjh тозын (fine, dry particles) · ccc ijpe (fine, dry particles) · te దుమ్ము (fine, dry particles) · vi bụi (fine, dry particles) · cy dwst (fine, dry particles) · kk шаң (fine, dry particles) · sah быыл (fine, dry particles) · eu hauts (fine, dry particles) · ps دوڼ (fine, dry particles) · ny fumbi (fine, dry particles) · zh 灰塵 /灰尘 (fine, dry particles) · ur دُھول (fine, dry particles) · zh чынтў (fine, dry particles) · hsb proch (fine, dry particles) · ga dusta (fine, dry particles) · gl voaxa (fine, dry particles) · yi שטויב (fine, dry particles) · is ryk (fine, dry particles) · orv порохъ (fine, dry particles) · uk ку́рява (fine, dry particles) · gl foula (fine, dry particles) · mdf пуль (fine, dry particles) · ne धुलो (fine, dry particles) · fur polvar (fine, dry particles) · inh дома (fine, dry particles) · ar تراب (fine, dry particles) · sh пра̑х (fine, dry particles) · az toz (fine, dry particles) · lv puteklis (fine, dry particles) · kok धूळी (fine, dry particles) · sk prach (fine, dry particles) · sc piubare (fine, dry particles) · tl alikabok (fine, dry particles) · ba саң (fine, dry particles) · sh pràšina (fine, dry particles) · mi puehu (fine, dry particles) · ms habuk (fine, dry particles) · th ธุลี (fine, dry particles) · mfe lapousier (fine, dry particles) · scn pruvulazzu (fine, dry particles) · ur گَرْد (fine, dry particles) · nap povere (fine, dry particles) · sc prubere (fine, dry particles) · bg прах (fine, dry particles) · pap puiro (fine, dry particles) · af stof (fine, dry particles) · got 𐌼𐌿𐌻𐌳𐌰 (fine, dry particles) · zh 塵土 /尘土 (fine, dry particles) · mk прав (fine, dry particles) · orh tɔ:rag (fine, dry particles) · fi pöly (fine, dry particles) · as ধূলি (fine, dry particles) · grc ἴκνυς (fine, dry particles) · tl gabok (fine, dry particles) · id debu (fine, dry particles) · tr toz (fine, dry particles) · nds Stoff (fine, dry particles) · wa poude (fine, dry particles) · ko 흙 (fine, dry particles) · tk toz (fine, dry particles) · mi hungahunga (fine, dry particles) · sv stoft (fine, dry particles) · sw kivumbi (fine, dry particles) · mnc ᠪᡠᡵᠠᡴᡳ (fine, dry particles) · kw ponn (fine, dry particles) · wal baanaa (fine, dry particles) · got 𐍃𐍄𐌿𐌱𐌾𐌿𐍃 (fine, dry particles) · gug yvytimbo (fine, dry particles) · ksc kafu (fine, dry particles) · id duli (fine, dry particles) · tyv доозун (fine, dry particles) · sv damm (fine, dry particles) · tt тузан (fine, dry particles) · ifk hupuk (fine, dry particles) · lo ທຸລີ (fine, dry particles) · sc peure (fine, dry particles) · mba aliyabuk (fine, dry particles) · alt тобрак (fine, dry particles) · bdk руг (fine, dry particles) · rup pulbire (fine, dry particles) · ebk tapok (fine, dry particles) · gl purreiro (fine, dry particles) · rm polvra (fine, dry particles) · kbd сабэ (fine, dry particles) · pl pył (fine, dry particles) · be по́рах (fine, dry particles) · ko 먼지 (fine, dry particles) · ce чан (fine, dry particles) · gv joan (fine, dry particles) · za hoi (fine, dry particles) · udm тузон (fine, dry particles) · tsg bagunbun (fine, dry particles) · xsr རྡུལ (fine, dry particles) · bal ہاک (fine, dry particles) · fa غُبار (fine, dry particles) · zh тў (fine, dry particles) · yue 灰塵 /灰尘 (fine, dry particles) · ota توز (fine, dry particles) · co polvara (fine, dry particles) · he אָבָק (fine, dry particles) · fr poussière (fine, dry particles) · dlm pulvro (fine, dry particles) · btx abu (fine, dry particles) · ar غُبار (fine, dry particles) · os рыг (fine, dry particles) · ja 埃 (fine, dry particles) · cu прахъ (fine, dry particles) · hi धूलि (fine, dry particles) · uga 𐎓𐎔𐎗 (fine, dry particles) · ja ほこり (fine, dry particles) · sq pluhur (fine, dry particles) · hy փոշի (fine, dry particles) · hu por (fine, dry particles) · ru пыль (fine, dry particles) · alt кок (fine, dry particles) · ota تراب (fine, dry particles) · to efu (fine, dry particles) · lo ຜົງ (fine, dry particles) · hi गर्द (fine, dry particles) · bn ধূলি (fine, dry particles) · su kekebul (fine, dry particles) · mr धूळ (fine, dry particles) · ceb abog (fine, dry particles) · hi ख़ाक (fine, dry particles) · fy stof (fine, dry particles) · oc polvèra (fine, dry particles) · or ଧୂଲା (fine, dry particles) · hrx Staab (fine, dry particles) · ms دبو (fine, dry particles) · rup pulbiri (fine, dry particles) · li sjtöb (fine, dry particles) · lmo polver (fine, dry particles) · mt trab (fine, dry particles) · lb Stëbs (fine, dry particles) · evn на̄мнэ (fine, dry particles) · bh धूल (fine, dry particles) · cv тусан (fine, dry particles) · bo ཐལ་བ (fine, dry particles) · gl queila (fine, dry particles) · ru прах (fine, dry particles) · grc χοῦς (fine, dry particles) · jv awu (fine, dry particles) · uz chang (fine, dry particles) · xal тоосн (fine, dry particles) · grc κόνις (fine, dry particles) · hi धूल (fine, dry particles) · ba туҙан (fine, dry particles) · cy pylor (fine, dry particles) · nb støv (fine, dry particles) · rm puolvra (fine, dry particles) · gd dust (fine, dry particles) · lez руг (fine, dry particles) · wa poure (fine, dry particles) · mrw lopapek (fine, dry particles) · ifk tapuk (fine, dry particles) · ro praf (fine, dry particles) · mn ᠲᠣᠭᠤᠰᠤ (fine, dry particles) · lv putekļi (fine, dry particles) · es polvo (fine, dry particles) · vec polvare (fine, dry particles) · ca pols (fine, dry particles) · gld бурэхи (fine, dry particles) · ro colb (fine, dry particles) · ilo tapok (fine, dry particles) · scn pùrviri (fine, dry particles) · gl borralla (fine, dry particles) · sid buko (fine, dry particles) · ms debu (fine, dry particles) · rm pulvra (fine, dry particles) · pt poeira (fine, dry particles) · xal шора (fine, dry particles) · cs prach (fine, dry particles) · nl stof (fine, dry particles) · yue 塵 /尘 (fine, dry particles) · sc piubere (fine, dry particles) · sh prȃh (fine, dry particles) · si දූවිල්ල (fine, dry particles) · om awwaara (fine, dry particles) · rm puolra (fine, dry particles) · iu ᓴᓂᖅ (fine, dry particles) · ar غُبَار (fine, dry particles) · mhr пурак (fine, dry particles) · tab руг (fine, dry particles) · hi खाक (fine, dry particles) · kl qasernerit (fine, dry particles) · kw polter (fine, dry particles) · kxd abuk (fine, dry particles) · ug چاڭ (fine, dry particles) · tg гард (fine, dry particles) · sc piure (fine, dry particles) · br poultr (fine, dry particles) · nv łeezh (fine, dry particles) · txb tweye (fine, dry particles) · ps کسيا (fine, dry particles) · la pulvis (fine, dry particles) · tk çaň (fine, dry particles) · xdq пягь (fine, dry particles) · ksc tapuk (fine, dry particles) · my ဖုန် (fine, dry particles) · la pollen (fine, dry particles) · ka მტვერი (fine, dry particles) · rhg dúl (fine, dry particles) · ttj ecuucu class 9 (fine, dry particles) · zh тонтў (fine, dry particles) · egy x-m-w-TAw-Z3 (fine, dry particles) · bo རྡུལ (fine, dry particles) · ga deannach (fine, dry particles) · gl pó (fine, dry particles) · pt pó (fine, dry particles) · az توز (fine, dry particles) · ro pulbere (fine, dry particles) · fa گَرْد (fine, dry particles) · alt тозон (fine, dry particles) · mns-nor порс (fine, dry particles) · tg хок (fine, dry particles) · okz ធុលិ (fine, dry particles) · eo polvo (fine, dry particles) · it polvere (fine, dry particles) · gd duslach (fine, dry particles) · pl proch (fine, dry particles) · br poultrenn (fine, dry particles) · km ធូលី (fine, dry particles) · mk пра́шина (fine, dry particles) · kmr toz (fine, dry particles) · ht pousyè (fine, dry particles) · ky чаң (fine, dry particles) · lt dulkės (fine, dry particles) · xdq пяхӏ (fine, dry particles) · fo dust (fine, dry particles) · lnj ibhi (fine, dry particles) · mg jomoka (fine, dry particles) · crh toz (fine, dry particles) · km ខ្ញម (fine, dry particles) · de Staub (fine, dry particles) · km ក្អែល (fine, dry particles) · cy llwch (fine, dry particles) · tet ahun (fine, dry particles) · jv bledug (fine, dry particles) · ast polvu (fine, dry particles) · lo ຝຸ່ນ (fine, dry particles) · pi dhūli (fine, dry particles) · zh 灰 (fine, dry particles) · se gavja (fine, dry particles) · myv пуль (fine, dry particles) · hi धुलि (fine, dry particles) · ee fúfu (fine, dry particles) · bua тооһон (fine, dry particles) · pl kurz (fine, dry particles) · jv lebu (fine, dry particles) · zu uthuli class 11/10 (fine, dry particles) · sa धूलि (fine, dry particles) · km ខ្សាច់ (fine, dry particles) · el σκόνη (fine, dry particles) · sa रजस् (fine, dry particles) · tg чанг (fine, dry particles) · am አቧራ (fine, dry particles) · mn тоос (fine, dry particles) · ms هابوق (fine, dry particles) · ar غبار (fine, dry particles) · da støv (fine, dry particles) · kw doust (fine, dry particles) · uk по́рох (fine, dry particles) · zea stof (fine, dry particles) · knb tapok (fine, dry particles) · unm punkw (fine, dry particles) · tn loupa (fine, dry particles) · mwl polvra (fine, dry particles) · bcl alpog (fine, dry particles) · kpv бус (fine, dry particles) · ar تُراب (fine, dry particles) · qu allpa (fine, dry particles) · lmw wíilok (fine, dry particles) · te ధూళి (fine, dry particles) · fa خاک (fine, dry particles) · tg ғубор (fine, dry particles) · txb spaitu (fine, dry particles) · alt тозун (fine, dry particles) · sh пра̀шина (fine, dry particles)