dusting

American  

[duhs-ting] / ˈdʌs tɪŋ /

noun

1. a light application.

   a dusting of powder.

2. a beating; defeat.

   He gave his opponent a good dusting.

---

Etymology

Origin of dusting

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

Example Sentences

Snow is expected to blanket parts of Southern California through Wednesday, with up to 3 feet predicted at the highest peaks and a dusting possible across the Interstate 5 corridor.

From Los Angeles Times

The sofa is torn and the lamps badly need dusting, but there’s a familiar warmth, too.

From Literature

“There we are,” Auntie North said, dusting her hands as she stood over the crackling fire.

From Literature

“There’s a book that’s sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off,” he sang while playing an acoustic guitar.

From The Wall Street Journal

First, the Coens submerge us headfirst into the cold netherworld of a Minnesota winter, where criminals hope that a dusting of fresh, frosty powder will cover their tracks.

From Salon