rock dust

noun

1. a crushed limestone sprayed on surfaces in mines to make coal dust incombustible in case of a gas explosion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rock dust¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

This works because the carbonate materials in the rock dust will dissolve when it comes in contact with water.

From Popular-Science

It gathers rock dust and the wreck of every living thing, and mixes them up with snow and ice.

From Project Gutenberg

A cloud of rock dust rose and filled the air completely for several minutes.

From Project Gutenberg

Little clouds of rock-dust rose above the bear, in front of him, behind him, and below him.

From Project Gutenberg

This is in contrast to the gravel road, where little dependence is placed upon the bonding effect of the rock dust.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, once in a great while, a third kind will descendthe accumulated snow and ice and rock dust of maybe half a century or more.

From Project Gutenberg