Dust
/dʌst/noun
Fine, dry particles of matter, especially those that collect on surfaces or are stirred up by the wind.
Did you know?English dust comes from an old Germanic word for fine particles, and the same deep root also gave us words for breath and blowing—linking dust to the ancient idea of something scattered by wind.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dheu-
“to blow, smoke, or rise in vapor”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*dunstaz
“dust, vapor, mist”
Old English
English
dūst
“dust, powder, fine particles”
Middle English
English
dust
“dust, dry powder, dirt particles”
Modern English
English
dust
“fine dry particles of matter”