dust

Everyday

1. Dust is very tiny bits of dirt, skin, hair and fibres that float in the air and settle on things. tree →
2. To dust means to wipe dust off furniture with a cloth. tree →
3. To dust also means to sprinkle a fine powder on something, like dusting a cake with sugar. tree →
4. Dust is fine dry soil or powder, like the dust on a dirt road. tree →
5. To raise a dust means to cause a commotion or fuss. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday chores, children help dust shelves; dust can make people sneeze, especially people with allergies or asthma. In science, dust specks float in sunbeams, dust storms happen in deserts, and space dust and the dust on the Moon are studied by astronauts. In stories, a dusty attic hides old secrets. Phrases: dust off, covered in dust, a cloud of dust, bite the dust, gather dust, dustpan, dustbin.

Examples

• The shelves were covered in dust. tree →
• Can you dust the bookcase, please? tree →
• Dust makes me sneeze. tree →
• We saw dust floating in the sunbeam. tree →
• The car left a cloud of dust on the dirt road. tree →
• Dust the cake with icing sugar. tree →
• Sweep the dust into the dustpan. tree →
• My old bike sat gathering dust in the shed. tree →
• “There is a dust,” he said. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some dust», «a speck of dust», not «a dust». Adjective: dusty. «Dust» as a verb usually means removing dust, but in cooking it means adding powder. A dustbin (UK) is a rubbish bin; a dustman collects rubbish.

In Jewish tradition

The earth that people were made from and return to. It also stands for something countless (Jacob's descendants) or for lowliness.

Interpretation. Tradition reads "dust and ashes" as Abraham's humility, and "dust of Jacob" as the promise that Israel would be countless.

Examples

• Who hath counted the dust of Jacob, or numbered the stock of Israel? (Torah NUM.23.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Abraham answered and said: 'Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes. (Torah GEN.18.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD will make the rain of thy land powder and dust; from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. (Torah DEU.28.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• Shall the dust praise Thee? shall it declare Thy truth? (Writings PSA.30.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust. (Writings JOB.34.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. (Writings PSA.103.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some dust», «a speck of dust», not «a dust». Adjective: dusty. «Dust» as a verb usually means removing dust, but in cooking it means adding powder. A dustbin (UK) is a rubbish bin; a dustman collects rubbish.