rust

¹rust

noun \ˈrəst\

Definition of RUST

1

a : the reddish brittle coating formed on iron especially when chemically attacked by moist air and composed essentially of hydrated ferric oxide

b : a comparable coating produced on a metal other than iron by corrosion

c : something resembling rust : accretion

2

: corrosive or injurious influence or effect

3

: any of numerous destructive diseases of plants produced by fungi (order Uredinales) and characterized by usually reddish-brown pustular lesions; also : a fungus causing this

4

: a strong reddish brown

Examples of RUST

1. an old pump covered in rust

Origin of RUST

Middle English, from Old English rūst; akin to Old English rēad red — more at red

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with RUST

bust, crust, dust, gust, just, lust, must, musth, thrust, trust

²rust

verb

Definition of RUST

intransitive verb

1

: to form rust : become oxidized <iron rusts>

2

: to degenerate especially from inaction, lack of use, or passage of time <most men would … have allowed their faculties to rust — T. B. Macaulay>

3

: to become reddish brown as if with rust <the leaves slowly rusted>

4

: to be affected with a rust fungus

transitive verb

1

: to cause (a metal) to form rust <keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them — Shakespeare>

2

: to impair or corrode by or as if by time, inactivity, or deleterious use

3

: to cause to become reddish brown : turn the color of rust

Examples of RUST

1. Your bicycle will rust if you leave it out in the rain.
2. The moist air rusted the latch on the door.
3. The old iron fence was rusted.

First Known Use of RUST

13th century

rust

noun \ˈrəst\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RUST

1

: the reddish brittle coating formed on iron especially when chemically attacked by moist air and composed essentially of hydrated ferric oxide

2

: any of numerous destructive diseases of plants produced by fungi (order Uredinales) and characterized by reddish brown pustular lesions; also : a fungus causing this