rust Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a red or brown oxide coating on iron or steel caused by the action of oxygen and moisture
  2. noun a plant disease that produces a reddish-brown discoloration of leaves and stems; caused by various rust fungi
  3. noun the formation of reddish-brown ferric oxides on iron by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water
    rusting.
  4. noun any of various fungi causing rust disease in plants
    rust fungus.
  5. verb become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid
    corrode.
    • The metal corroded
    • The pipes rusted
  6. verb cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid
    eat; corrode.
    • The acid corroded the metal
    • The steady dripping of water rusted the metal stopper in the sink
  7. verb become coated with oxide
  8. adjective satellite of the brown color of rust
    rusty; rust-brown.

WordNet

Rust noun
Etymology
AS. rust; akin to D. roest, G. & Sw. rost, Icel. ryth; -- named from its color, and akin to E. red. *113. See Red.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) The reddish yellow coating formed on iron when exposed to moist air, consisting of ferric oxide or hydroxide; hence, by extension, any metallic film of corrosion.
  2. (Bot.) A minute mold or fungus forming reddish or rusty spots on the leaves and stems of cereal and other grasses (Trichobasis Rubigo-vera), now usually believed to be a form or condition of the corn mildew (Puccinia graminis). As rust, it has solitary reddish spores; as corn mildew, the spores are double and blackish. ✍ Rust is also applied to many other minute fungi which infest vegetation, such as the species of Ustilago, Uredo, and Lecythea.
  3. That which resembles rust in appearance or effects. Specifically: (a) A composition used in making a rust joint. See Rust joint, below. (b) Foul matter arising from degeneration; as, rust on salted meat. (c) Corrosive or injurious accretion or influence.
    Sacred truths cleared from all rust and dross of human mixtures. Eikon Basilike.
    ✍ Rust is used in the formation of compounds of obvious meaning; as, rust-colored, rust-consumed, rust-eaten, and the like.
Rust intransitive verb
Etymology
AS. rustian.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Rusted; present participle & verbal noun Rusting
Definitions
  1. To contract rust; to be become oxidized.
    If gold ruste, what shall iron do? Chaucer.
    Our armors now may rust. Dryden.
  2. To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust; also, to acquire a rusty appearance. as plants.
  3. Fig.: To degenerate in idleness; to become dull or impaired by inaction.
    Must I rust in Egypt? never more Appear in arms, and be the chief of Greece? Dryden.
Rust transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause to contract rust; to corrode with rust; to affect with rust of any kind.
    Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Shak.
  2. Fig.: To impair by time and inactivity. Johmson.

Webster 1913