Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

rust       (rŭst)  Pronunciation Key  n.   Any of various powdery or scaly reddish-brown or reddish-yellow hydrated ferric oxides formed on iron and iron-containing materials by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water. Any of various metallic coatings, especially oxides, formed by corrosion. A stain or coating resembling iron rust. Deterioration, as of ability, resulting from inactivity or neglect. Botany Rust fungus. A plant disease caused by a rust fungus, characterized by reddish or brownish spots on leaves, stems, and other parts. A strong brown. v.   rust·ed, rust·ing, rusts v.   intr. To become corroded. To deteriorate or degenerate through inactivity or neglect. To become the color of rust. Botany To develop a disease caused by a rust fungus. v.   tr. To corrode or subject (a metal) to rust formation. To impair or spoil, as by misuse or inactivity. To color (something) a strong brown. [Middle English, from Old English rūst; see reudh- in Indo-European roots.] rust adj., rust'a·ble adj.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
rust  (n.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

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

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

rust       (rŭst)  Pronunciation Key  Noun   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. 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. Any of the various plant diseases caused by these fungi. Verb   To become corroded or oxidized.

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

rust (rŭst)
n.
Any of a group of parasitic fungi of the order Uredinales that are plant pathogens, especially of cereal grains, and that can produce allergy in humans when inhaled in large numbers.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Rust

Rust\, n. [AS. rust; akin to D. roest, G. & Sw. rost, Icel. ry[eth]; -- named from its color, and akin to E. red. [root]113. See Red.]

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.

Note: 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.

Note: Rust is used in the formation of compounds of obvious meaning; as, rust-colored, rust-consumed, rust-eaten, and the like.

Rust joint, a joint made between surfaces of iron by filling the space between them with a wet mixture of cast-iron borings, sal ammoniac, and sulphur, which by oxidation becomes hard, and impervious to steam, water, etc.

Rust mite (Zo["o]l.), a minute mite (Phytopius oleivorus) which, by puncturing the rind, causes the rust-colored patches on oranges.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Rust

Rust\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rusted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rusting.] [AS. rustian.]

1. To contract rust; to be or 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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Rust

Rust\, v. t. 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. --Johnson.

American Heritage Abbreviations Dictionary 3rd Edition - Cite This Source - Share This

RUST Remote User Scheduling Terminal