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

---

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

---

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

Mourners on this occasion are invited to cast Lizzie’s stones into the ocean, and handfuls of her ashes go in, too.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Man, that thing went from ashes to new life,” said Rivas.

From Los Angeles Times

Radio DJ Edith Bowman says a suitcase containing her grandfather's ashes that went missing has been found empty.

From BBC

In my view, there’s no contradiction because wearing ashes in public, unlike righteous acts of giving alms, fasting and praying in public, is a sign that we are sinners and in need of repentance.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The first time there is a really striking sun in the movie, where everything feels harsh, is when he gets to his cabin after the fire and everything is burned and there’s just ashes.”

From Los Angeles Times