rust

[ruhst]

noun

1. Also called iron 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 fungus. 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. rust out,  (of metal pipes, machinery, etc.) to decay and become unusable through the action of rust.

2. rust together,  to join two metal pieces, as iron pipes, by causing the joint to rust.

3. rust through,  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 called: rust 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

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.

1. To become corroded or oxidized.

Other Word Forms

• rustless adjective
• derust verb (used with object)
• unrust 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

To keep them nonstick and avoid rust, you must season them by cooking with fat and occasionally rub them down with oil.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Qubein, the newly appointed president, took a tour with his two college-age daughters and saw rust flaking off an old shower head.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There’s row after row of mangled, rusting metal remains of former homes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And, despite the partisan Supreme Court, the reason that we are still holding on to democracy is because the system still works, albeit like a ’78 Chevy with the doors rusting off.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An abandoned station, a few rusted carriages and a dozen metres of track are all that is left of a Soviet railway in southern Armenia.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• decay 
• deteriorate 
• wither