dusting

[duhs-ting]

noun

1. a light application.

   a dusting of powder.

2. a beating; defeat.

   He gave his opponent a good dusting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dusting¹

First recorded in 1615–25; dust + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

A dusting of powdered sugar if you like.

From Salon

Top with more cherries—fresh or boozy—and a dusting of shaved chocolate.

From Salon

Happy Gilmore 2 will see the main character dusting off his clubs in order to raise money to put his daughter Vienna, played by the actor's real life daughter Sunny Sandler, through ballet school.

From BBC

For some, it's simply a matter of dusting off an old console or computer.

From BBC

The storms also left an early summer dusting of snow in area mountains, the Sacramento Bee reported.

From Los Angeles Times