~ 1
■ noun
1》 the powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
↘( ~es ) the remains of a human body after cremation or burning.
↘(in chemical analysis) the mineral component of an organic substance (indicated by the residue left after burning).
2》 ( the Ashes ) a cricket trophy awarded for a Test match series between England and Australia. [from a mock obituary notice referring to the symbolical remains of English cricket.]
Phrases
turn to ~es in one's mouth become bitterly disappointing or worthless.
rise from the ~es be renewed after destruction.
Derivatives
~y adjective
Origin
OE æsce , aexe , of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 a tree with compound leaves, winged fruits, and hard pale wood. [Genus Fraxinus : many species.]
↘used in names of other trees, e.g. mountain ~ .
2》 an Old English runic letter, .
↘the symbol æ or Æ, used in the Roman alphabet in place of the runic letter and as a phonetic symbol. See also Æ .
Origin
OE æsc , of Gmc origin.