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Webster 1913 Edition

Rust

Rust

,
Noun.
[AS.
rust
; akin to D.
roest
, G. & Sw.
rost
, Icel.
ryð
; – named from its color, and akin to E.
red
. √113. See
Red
.]
1.
(Chem.)
The reddish yellow coating formed on iron when exposed to moist air, consisting of ferric oxide or hydroxide; hence, by extension, any metallic film of corrosion.
2.
(Bot.)
A minute mold or fungus forming reddish or rusty spots on the leaves and stems of cereal and other grasses (
Trichobasis Rubigo-vera
), now usually believed to be a form or condition of the corn mildew (
Puccinia graminis
). As rust, it has solitary reddish spores; as corn mildew, the spores are double and blackish.
☞ Rust is also applied to many other minute fungi which infest vegetation, such as the species of
Ustilago
,
Uredo
, and
Lecythea
.
3.
That which resembles rust in appearance or effects.
Specifically:
(a)
A composition used in making a rust joint. See
Rust joint
, below.
(b)
Foul matter arising from degeneration;
as,
rust
on salted meat
.
(c)
Corrosive or injurious accretion or influence.
Sacred truths cleared from all
rust
and dross of human mixtures.
Eikon Basilike.
☞ Rust is used in the formation of compounds of obvious meaning; as, rust-colored, rust-consumed, rust-eaten, and the like.
Rust joint
,
a joint made between surfaces of iron by filling the space between them with a wet mixture of cast-iron borings, sal ammoniac, and sulphur, which by oxidation becomes hard, and impervious to steam, water, etc.
–
Rust mite
(Zool.)
,
a minute mite (
Phytopius oleivorus
) which, by puncturing the rind, causes the rust-colored patches on oranges.

Rust

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Rusted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Rusting
.]
[AS.
rustian
.]
1.
To contract rust; to be or become oxidized.
If gold
ruste
, what shall iron do?
Chaucer.
Our armors now may
rust
.
Dryden.
2.
To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust; also, to acquire a rusty appearance, as plants.
3.
Fig.:
To degenerate in idleness; to become dull or impaired by inaction.
Must I
rust
in Egypt? never more
Appear in arms, and be the chief of Greece?
Dryden.

Rust

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To cause to contract rust; to corrode with rust; to affect with rust of any kind.
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will
rust
them.
Shakespeare
2.
Fig.:
To impair by time and inactivity.
Johnson.

Webster 1828 Edition

Rust

RUST

,
Noun.
[Gr. probably from its color, and allied to ruddy, red, as L. rubigo is from rubeo. See Ruddy.]
1.
The oxyd of a metal; a substance composed of oxygen combined with a metal, and forming a rough coat on its surface. All metals except gold are liable to rust.
2.
Loss of power by inactivity, as metals lose their brightness and smoothness when not used.
3.
Any foul matter contracted; as rust on corn or salted meat.
4.
Foul extraneous matter; as sacred truths cleared from the rust of human mixtures.
5.
A disease in grain, a kind of dust which gathers on the stalks and leaves.

RUST

, v.i.
1.
To contract rust; to be oxydized and contract a roughness on the surface.
Our armors now may rust.
2.
To degenerate in idleness; to become dull by inaction.
Must I rust in Egypt?
3.
To gather dust or extraneous matter.

RUST

, v.t.
1.
To cause to contract rust.
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
2.
To impair by time and inactivity.

Definition 2024

rust

rust

See also: rüst and růst

English

Rust
Rust on a can

Noun

rust ‎(plural rusts)

  1. The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation.
    The rust on my bicycle chain made cycling to work very dangerous.
  2. A similar substance based on another metal (usually with qualification, such as "copper rust").
    aerugo. Green or blue-green copper rust; verdigris. (American Heritage Dictionary, 1973)
  3. A reddish-brown color.
    rust colour:    
  4. A disease of plants caused by a reddish-brown fungus.


Derived terms

Translations

Verb

rust ‎(third-person singular simple present rusts, present participle rusting, simple past and past participle rusted)

  1. (intransitive) to oxidize, especially of iron or steel.
    The patio furniture had rusted in the wind-driven spray.
  2. (transitive) to cause to oxidize.
    The wind-driven spray had thoroughly rusted the patio furniture.
  3. (intransitive) To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust.
  4. (figuratively) To degenerate in idleness; to become dull or impaired by inaction.
    • Dryden
      Must I rust in Egypt? never more / Appear in arms, and be the chief of Greece?

Synonyms

Translations

See also

Anagrams

Danish

Etymology

From Old Swedish rost ‎(“rust”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /rost/, [ʁɔsd̥]

Noun

rust c (singular definite rusten, not used in plural form)

  1. rust
  2. corrosion

Verb

rust

  1. imperative of ruste

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ʏst

Noun

rust f, m ‎(plural rusten)

  1. rest, calm, peace
    Waarom laat je me niet met rust?. - Why don't you leave me alone?
  2. (sports) half-time

Derived terms

Verb

rust

  1. first-, second- and third-person singular present indicative of rusten
  2. imperative of rusten

Norwegian Bokmål

Noun

rust m, f ‎(definite singular rusta or rusten) (uncountable)

  1. rust (oxidation of iron and steel)
  2. rust (disease affecting plants)

Verb

rust

  1. imperative of ruste

Norwegian Nynorsk

Noun

rust f ‎(definite singular rusta) (uncountable)

  1. rust (oxidation, as above)
  2. rust (plant disease)

Etymology

From Middle English rust, rost, roust, from Old English rust, rūst ‎(“rust”), from Proto-Germanic *rustaz ‎(“rust”), from Proto-Indo-European *rudʰso- ‎(“red”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rewdʰ- ‎(“red”). Cognate with Scots roust ‎(“rust”), Saterland Frisian rust ‎(“rust”), West Frisian roast ‎(“rust”), Dutch roest ‎(“rust”), German Rost ‎(“rust”), Danish rust ‎(“rust”), Swedish rost ‎(“rust”), Norwegian rust, ryst ‎(“rust”). Related to red.

Pronunciation

  • enPR: rŭst, IPA(key): /rʌst/
  • Rhymes: -ʌst

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