Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ashes \Ash"es\, n. pl. [OE. asche, aske, AS. asce, [ae]sce, axe;
   akin to OHG. asca, G. asche, D. asch, Icel. & Sw. aska, Dan.
   aske, Goth. azgo.]
   1. The earthy or mineral particles of combustible substances
      remaining after combustion, as of wood or coal.

   2. Specifically: The remains of the human body when burnt, or
      when ``returned to dust'' by natural decay.

            Their martyred blood and ashes sow.   --Milton.

            The coffins were broken open. The ashes were
            scattered to the winds.               --Macaulay.

   3. The color of ashes; deathlike paleness.

            The lip of ashes, and the cheek of flame. --Byron.

   {In dust and ashes}, {In sackcloth and ashes}, with humble
      expression of grief or repentance; -- from the method of
      mourning in Eastern lands.

   {Volcanic ashes}, or {Volcanic ash}, the loose, earthy
      matter, or small fragments of stone or lava, ejected by
      volcanoes.

Dust \Dust\, n. [AS. dust; cf. LG. dust, D. duist meal dust, OD.
   doest, donst, and G. dunst vapor, OHG. tunist, dunist, a
   blowing, wind, Icel. dust dust, Dan. dyst mill dust; perh.
   akin to L. fumus smoke, E. fume. ?.]
   1. Fine, dry particles of earth or other matter, so
      comminuted that they may be raised and wafted by the wind;
      that which is crumbled too minute portions; fine powder;
      as, clouds of dust; bone dust.

            Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
                                                  --Gen. iii.
                                                  19.

            Stop! -- for thy tread is on an empire's dust.
                                                  --Byron.

   2. A single particle of earth or other matter. [R.] ``To
      touch a dust of England's ground.'' --Shak.

   3. The earth, as the resting place of the dead.

            For now shall sleep in the dust.      --Job vii. 21.

   4. The earthy remains of bodies once alive; the remains of
      the human body.

            And you may carve a shrine about my dust.
                                                  --Tennyson.

   5. Figuratively, a worthless thing.

            And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust. --Shak.

   6. Figuratively, a low or mean condition.

            [God] raiseth up the poor out of the dust. --1 Sam.
                                                  ii. 8.

   7. Gold dust; hence: (Slang) Coined money; cash.

   {Down with the dust}, deposit the cash; pay down the money.
      [Slang] ``My lord, quoth the king, presently deposit your
      hundred pounds in gold, or else no going hence all the
      days of your life. . . . The Abbot down with his dust, and
      glad he escaped so, returned to Reading.'' --Fuller.

   {Dust brand} (Bot.), a fungous plant ({Ustilago Carbo}); --
      called also {smut}.

   {Gold dust}, fine particles of gold, such as are obtained in
      placer mining; -- often used as money, being transferred
      by weight.

   {In dust and ashes}. See under {Ashes}.

   {To bite the dust}. See under {Bite}, v. t.

   {To}

   {raise, or kick up, dust}, to make a commotion. [Colloq.]

   {To throw dust in one's eyes}, to mislead; to deceive.
      [Colloq.]