rust

[ ruhst ]

noun

1. Also called iron rust. the red or orange coating that forms on the surface of iron when exposed to air and moisture, consisting chiefly of ferric hydroxide and ferric oxide formed by oxidation.
2. any film or coating on metal caused by oxidation.

   Synonyms: corrosion

3. a stain resembling this coating.
4. any growth, habit, influence, or agency tending to injure, deteriorate, or impair the mind, character, abilities, usefulness, etc.
5. Plant Pathology.
   1. any of several diseases of plants, characterized by reddish, brownish, or black pustules on the leaves, stems, etc., caused by fungi of the order Uredinales.
   2. Also called rust fungus. a fungus causing this disease.
   3. any of several other diseases of unknown cause, characterized by reddish-brown spots or discolorations on the affected parts.
6. reddish yellow, reddish brown, or yellowish red.

verb (used without object)

1. to become or grow rusty, as iron.
2. to contract rust.
3. to deteriorate or become impaired, as through inaction or disuse.

   Synonyms: decline, decay

4. to become rust-colored.

verb (used with object)

1. to affect with rust.
2. to impair as if with rust.
3. to make rust-colored.

adjective

1. having the color rust.

verb phrase

1. (of metal pipes, machinery, etc.) to decay and become unusable through the action of rust.
2. to join two metal pieces, as iron pipes, by causing the joint to rust.
3. to develop holes, breaks, or the like, because of rust.

rust

/ rʌst /

noun

1. a reddish-brown oxide coating formed on iron or steel by the action of oxygen and moisture
2. Also calledrust fungus plant pathol
   1. any basidiomycetous fungus of the order Uredinales , parasitic on cereal plants, conifers, etc
   2. any of various plant diseases characterized by reddish-brown discoloration of the leaves and stem, esp that caused by the rust fungi
3. 1. a strong brown colour, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish tinge
   2. ( as adjective )

      a rust carpet

4. any corrosive or debilitating influence, esp lack of use

verb

1. to become or cause to become coated with a layer of rust
2. to deteriorate or cause to deteriorate through some debilitating influence or lack of use

   he allowed his talent to rust over the years

rust

/ rŭst /

Noun

1. Any of the various reddish-brown oxides of iron that form on iron and many of its alloys when they are exposed to oxygen in the presence of moisture.
2. 1. Any of various basidiomycete fungi that are parasitic on plants and produce reddish or brownish spots on leaves. Rusts attack a wide variety of plants and can cause enormous damage to crops.
   2. Any of the various plant diseases caused by these fungi.

Verb

1. To become corroded or oxidized.

Derived Forms

• ˈrustless, adjective

Other Words From

• de·rust verb (used with object)
• un·rust verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rust¹

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English rūst; cognate with German Rost; (v.) Middle English rusten, derivative of the noun; akin to red ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rust¹

Old English rūst ; related to Old Saxon, Old High German rost

Example Sentences

“I got so little playing time at Oregon,” he joked, “the zipper on my warm-up jacket rusted shut.”

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe it will not heal the soul completely in this sense, but it will not let rust go deeper in the soul.

From Los Angeles Times

The bottle stopper was cork, which had expanded over time and stuck to the glass, while the wire which held it in place had rusted away.

From BBC

Farrow’s stage chops show no signs of rust.

From Los Angeles Times

I recently went to see rusting pipes laid near Finsbury Park in London during Queen Victoria’s reign over 150 years ago being replaced with bright blue plastic ones.

From BBC

Related Words

• decay
• deteriorate
• wither