dust

dust1 [ dʌst ] noun uncount **

very small pieces of dirt that cover surfaces inside buildings like a powder:

The dictionaries were covered in dust.

a. very small pieces of dry earth or sand that are like powder:

There were clouds of dust in the distance as the truck approached.

b. very small pieces of something such as wood or metal that form a powder:

rock/gold/coal dust

let the dust settle

to allow a situation to become calm or normal again after something exciting or unusual has happened

leave someone in the dust AMERICAN INFORMAL

to be more successful, intelligent, etc. than someone else, especially someone you are competing with

make the dust fly INFORMAL

to do something very quickly and with a lot of energy

turn something to dust

to completely destroy something

=> BITE1, GATHER1

dust

dust 2 [ dʌst ] verb *

1. ) intransitive or transitive to wipe the dust off the surface of something such as furniture:

I'll just dust the table.

Elaine has already mopped the floor and dusted.

2. ) transitive to put a thin layer of powder on something:

dust something with something: Dust the pan with flour.

,dust `down phrasal verb transitive BRITISH

to wipe dust or dirt off the surface of something

dust yourself down same as DUST OFF

,dust `off phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to get something ready to use that you have not used for a long time:

I'm dusting off my old skills and returning to work.

2. ) to wipe dust or dirt off the surface of something:

Would you dust off the shelves?

dust yourself off

to not get upset after a problem or failure, but quickly try again or continue to do what you were doing