rust

noun

1. 1.

   A red or brown oxide coating on iron or steel caused by the action of oxygen and moisture

2. 2.

   The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation; it consists mostly of iron(III) oxide (ferric oxide) and iron(II) oxide (ferrous oxide).

3. 3.

   A plant disease that produces a reddish-brown discoloration of leaves and stems; caused by various rust fungi

4. 4.

   The formation of reddish-brown ferric oxides on iron by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water

5. 5.

   A reddish-brown color.

6. 6.

   A similar substance based on another metal.

verb

1. 1.

   intransitive

   To oxidize, especially of iron or steel.

2. 2.

   intransitive

   Of a black cat or its fur, to turn rust-coloured following long periods of exposure to sunlight.

3. 3.

   Cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid

4. 4.

   transitive

   To cause to oxidize.

5. 5.

   intransitive

   To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust.

Inflected forms

Grammatical variations of the same word.

• rustedadjectiveInflected form

  Having accumulated rust.

Word family

Words built from the same root.

• rusticnounDerived noun

  An unsophisticated country person.

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

• rust fungusnounCompound term

  Any of various fungi causing rust disease in plants.

• rust inhibitornounCompound term

  Antioxidant that inhibits the formation of rust.

• rust mitenounCompound term

  Any of several varieties of mite that burrow into plants and cause a reddish-brown discoloration on the leaves or fruit.