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Definition rust

Etymology 1

From Middle English rust, rost, roust, from Old English rust, r?st (“rust”), from Proto-Germanic *rustaz (“rust”), from Proto-Indo-European *rud?so- (“red”), from Proto-Indo-European *h?rewd?- (“red”). Cognate with Scots roust (“rust”), Saterland Frisian rust (“rust”), West Frisian roast (“rust”), Dutch roest (“rust”), German Rost (“rust”), Danish rust (“rust”), Swedish rost (“rust”), Norwegian rust, ryst (“rust”). Related to red.

Noun

rust (countable and uncountable, plural rusts)

1. The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation.
2. A similar substance based on another metal (usually with qualification, such as "copper rust").
3. A reddish-brown color.
4. A disease of plants caused by a reddish-brown fungus.