rust

[ ruhst ]

noun

1. Also called iron 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 fungus. 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. (of metal pipes, machinery, etc.) to decay and become unusable through the action of rust.
2. to develop holes, breaks, or the like, because of rust.
3. to join two metal pieces, as iron pipes, by causing the joint to rust.

rust

/ rʌst /

noun

1. a reddish-brown oxide coating formed on iron or steel by the action of oxygen and moisture
2. Also calledrust 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

/ rŭst /

Noun

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.

Verb

1. To become corroded or oxidized.

Derived Forms

• ˈrustless, adjective

Other Words From

• de·rust verb (used with object)
• un·rust 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

This chainmail is rust-proof, and smooth enough it won’t damage any of the surfaces it can be used for.

From Popular-Science

Their invention is marked by layers of rust— banded iron formations—as iron reacted with the available oxygen.

From Nautilus

Like many former industrial hotspots across the country, Kenosha would have to evolve to cope with the realities of a 21st century economy, or else rust away.

From Fortune

The cutter is made from anti-rust stainless steel and can go in the dishwasher.

From Popular-Science

Book Your Data does a great job of showing how rust badges and reviews featuring loyal and even popular customers can establish trust with new visitors right away.

From Search Engine Watch

Tom Rust, a spokesman for the House Ethics Committee, declined to comment to The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

Blister rust is like having the flu; the pine beetle is like fast acting leukemia.

From The Daily Beast

Briefly, blister rust is an Asian fungus introduced from Europe to America around 1900.

From The Daily Beast

Still, there is hope for the Republicans in the Rust Belt—if they can give the public a reason to vote for them.

From The Daily Beast

Cenicafé researchers “anticipated climate change would create a scenario where rust was a real pandemic threat,” says Rhinehart.

From The Daily Beast

It was encircled by a ditch, but the drawbridge was down, and the rust on its chains argued that long had it been so.

From Project Gutenberg

The Dimbula picked up her pilot and came in covered with salt and red rust.

From Project Gutenberg

Great pains have been taken, and the great rust thereof is not gone out, not even by fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Some seasons hardly any rust can be discovered on the leaves, and if any spots are found they are fixed and do not spread.

From Project Gutenberg

Many theories have been advanced in regard to the (p. 471) cause of rust and how to prevent it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decay
• deteriorate
• wither