rust (n.)

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

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

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

    [ Syn: rusting , rusting ]

  4. any of various fungi causing rust disease in plants

    [ Syn: rust fungus ]

    rust (adj.)

  1. of the brown color of rust

    [ Syn: rusty , rust-brown ]

    rust (v.)

  1. become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid; The metal corroded; The pipes rusted

    [ Syn: corrode ]

  2. cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid; The acid corroded the metal; The steady dripping of water rusted the metal stopper in the sink

    [ Syn: corrode , eat ]

  3. become coated with oxide

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.