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Rust vs Dirt - What's the difference?

rust | dirt |

As a verb rust

is to grow.

As a noun dirt is

animal.

rust

English

(wikipedia rust)

Noun

(en noun)
  • The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation.
  • The rust on my bicycle chain made cycling to work very dangerous.
  • A similar substance based on another metal (usually with qualification, such as "copper rust").
  • aerugo. Green or blue-green copper rust ; verdigris. (American Heritage Dictionary, 1973)
  • A reddish-brown color.
  • A disease of plants caused by a reddish-brown fungus.
  • (-)

    Derived terms

    * cedar-apple rust * coffee rust * Rust Belt * rust bucket * rust fungus * rust mite * rustproof * rusty * stem rust * wheat rust * white pine blister rust * white rust

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to oxidize, especially of iron or steel.
  • The patio furniture had rusted in the wind-driven spray.
  • to cause to oxidize.
  • The wind-driven spray had thoroughly rusted the patio furniture.
  • To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust.
  • (figuratively) To degenerate in idleness; to become dull or impaired by inaction.
  • * Dryden
  • Must I rust in Egypt? never more / Appear in arms, and be the chief of Greece?

    Synonyms

    * oxidise / oxidize * corrode

    See also

    * aeciospore * ferric oxide * ferruginous * rouille * rubiginous *

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    dirt

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • soil or earth
  • A stain or spot (on clothes etc); any foreign substance that worsens appearance
  • Previously unknown facts, or the invented "facts", about a person; gossip
  • The reporter uncovered the dirt on the businessman by going undercover.
  • Meanness; sordidness.
  • * Melmoth
  • honours thrown away upon dirt and infamy
  • In placer mining, earth, gravel, etc., before washing.
  • Derived terms

    * dirt bike * dirt nap * dirty * do someone dirt

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (rare) To make foul or filthy; soil; befoul; dirty