rust
Definitions
General English
General Science
- noun a reddish powder that forms on the surface of iron and iron compounds on contact with damp air
- verb to become covered with reddish powder through contact with damp air
Agriculture
- noun a fungal disease that gives plants a reddish powdery covering
Cars & Driving
- noun oxidized iron or steel, the product of corrosion
- verb to form rust
Construction
- Any of various powdery or scaly reddish-brown or reddish-yellow, hydrated, ferric oxides formed on the surface of iron or steel that is exposed to moisture and air. Rust eventually will weaken or destroy the material if allowed to progress.
Military
- noun a harmful brown discoloration to iron or steel, caused by exposure to damp air or water
Origin & History of “rust”
Etymologically, rust means ‘reddened’. The word goes back ultimately to the Indo-European base *reudh- ‘red’ (source also of English red). this produced a prehistoric Germanic noun which has evolved into German and Swedish rost, Dutch roest, and English and Danish rust.
