Dust Meaning
Dust Definition & Usage
Fine, dry particles of matter, often comprising dirt, soil, or other small, light substances.
Examples
- "She wiped the dust off the table before starting her work."
- "The old books had collected a layer of dust over the years."
- "There was dust all over the floor from the construction work."
- "The wind kicked up a cloud of dust, making it hard to see."
- "A thin layer of dust had settled on the car windows overnight."
To remove or apply fine particles of dust from a surface, or to sprinkle fine particles of powder over something.
Examples
- "She dusted the shelves with a soft cloth."
- "After baking, he dusted the cake with powdered sugar."
- "The gardener dusted the plants with insecticide."
- "I need to dust the furniture before the guests arrive."
- "The artist dusted the canvas with a fine layer of charcoal powder."
The residue or remains of something that has been destroyed, ruined, or come to an end.
Examples
- "The empire had crumbled to dust after years of war."
- "All his hopes were reduced to dust after the defeat."
- "The building was nothing but a pile of dust after the explosion."
- "Their dreams of success turned to dust in the harsh reality of competition."
- "The old records were forgotten, reduced to dust on the shelf."
'To throw dust in someone's eyes' means to deceive or mislead them.
Examples
- "He tried to throw dust in my eyes by claiming he had nothing to do with the decision."
- "She threw dust in his eyes by pretending to be his friend, while undermining him behind his back."
- "They threw dust in the judge's eyes by presenting false evidence."
- "His smooth words were just dust thrown in our eyes to cover up the truth."
- "Don't let them throw dust in your eyes – investigate the facts yourself."
Cultural Context
Dust has been a significant symbol in various cultures, often representing decay, neglect, and death. In ancient civilizations, dust was associated with the graves of the dead or the destruction of cities and empires. In modern times, it also represents the ordinary consequence of living in a world full of natural processes, such as wind and weather.
The Dust of Dreams
Story
The Dust of Dreams
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the city, Mark stood at the edge of the crumbling ruins. The empire that once stood proud was now reduced to dust, a memory fading with the wind. He had grown up listening to stories of grandeur, of cities that sparkled with life and wealth, but now he could only see the broken walls and scattered remains of a lost world. He turned and saw Julia, her face a mirror of his thoughts – sadness, yet acceptance. 'We can't rebuild the past,' she said quietly, 'but we can dust ourselves off and move forward.' Mark nodded, brushing his hand through the dust on his boots, a gesture as simple as it was symbolic. Their lives, too, had been touched by loss and failure, but they could still move forward, away from the dust that had settled on their dreams. He sighed and smiled faintly. 'Let's go.'
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