ashes

¹ British  

/ ˈæʃɪz /

plural noun

1. ruins or remains, as after destruction or burning

   the city was left in ashes

2. the remains of a human body after cremation

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Ashes ² British  

/ ˈæʃɪz /

plural noun

1. a cremated cricket stump in a pottery urn now preserved at Lord's. Victory or defeat in test matches between England and Australia is referred to as winning, losing, or retaining the Ashes

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Etymology

Origin of Ashes

from the mock obituary of English cricket in The Times in 1882 after a great Australian victory at the Oval, in which it was said that the body would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia

Example Sentences

His throat was dry as ashes, but he swallowed down a gulp.

From Literature

Dixon, 37, who grew up in the village beneath the mountain, said he recently scattered his father's ashes there and expressed his sadness at seeing such a special place treated with so little respect.

From BBC

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment—it suddenly felt reckless being here with Old Joseph, stirring up the ashes of my family’s past.

From Literature

The fire is now out, but smoke is continuing to rise from the ashes inside the building.

From BBC

Boaz nodded, watching the ashes that dotted the free space on the table.

From Literature