Main Entry: ¹dust

Pronunciation: \ˈdəst\

Function: 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