dung

Everyday

1. Dung is the solid waste, or poo, of animals, especially large animals like cows, horses and elephants. tree →
2. Dung is used on farms as manure to help plants grow, and in some places it is dried and burned as fuel. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons dung comes up in food chains and decomposition: dung beetles roll balls of dung, bury it and lay eggs in it, which recycles nutrients back into the soil. In history and geography lessons pupils learn that dried dung is burned for cooking and heating where there is little wood. Phrases: «dung beetle», «cow dung», «dung heap». It is a polite, scientific word, not a rude one.

Examples

• The dung beetle rolled a ball of dung across the sand. tree →
• Farmers spread cow dung on the fields to help crops grow. tree →
• Elephant dung is full of seeds. tree →
• In some villages dried dung is used as fuel. tree →
• The smell of horse dung filled the stable. tree →
• Scientists study dung to find out what animals eat. tree →
• Watch out for the cow dung in the field! tree →
• "Perhaps you came from a dung-heap," observed the oldest of them. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some dung», «a pile of dung», not «a dung». It is a polite word for animal waste; «poo» is the everyday word, «manure» means dung used on fields. Never touch animal dung with bare hands — wash your hands after farm visits.

In Jewish tradition

The waste of the animal. In the sacrifice laws, the dung of a sin-offering bullock is burned outside the camp, not on the altar. In poems it also stands for something worthless that is thrown away.

Interpretation. Tradition teaches that the parts not fit for the altar are burned in a clean place outside the camp, and the commentators see this as showing how seriously sin-offerings are treated. The prophets and Job use dung as a picture of the downfall of the proud and wicked.

Examples

• But the skin of the bullock, and all its flesh, with its head, and with its legs, and its inwards, and its dung, (Torah LEV.4.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the heifer shall be burnt in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall be burnt. (Torah NUM.19.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• But the flesh of the bullock, and its skin, and its dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp; it is a sin-offering. (Torah EXO.29.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who were destroyed at En-dor; they became as dung for the earth. (Writings PSA.83.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will cast detestable things upon thee, and make thee vile, and will make thee as dung. (Prophets NAM.3.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung; they that have seen him shall say: 'Where is he?' (Writings JOB.20.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some dung», «a pile of dung», not «a dung». It is a polite word for animal waste; «poo» is the everyday word, «manure» means dung used on fields. Never touch animal dung with bare hands — wash your hands after farm visits.