I. ˈdəst noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English dūst; akin to Old High German tunst storm, and probably to Latin fumus smoke — more at fume
Date: before 12th century
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
II. verb
Date: 1530
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 dust ed 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