DFM

Noun

dust (countable and uncountable, plural dusts)

1. (uncountable) 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
2. (uncountable) Any substance reduced to fine particles; powder.
3. (uncountable) 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
4. (uncountable, occupational health) Disintegration of a solid, like silica.
5. (Australia, dated, slang, uncountable) Flour.
6. (countable, obsolete) A single fine, dry particle of earth or other material; grain of dust.
   • to touch a dust of England’s ground1595 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...

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