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ash(2) (iou)



ash noun2. .

In pl. & collect. sing. The powdery residue, composed chiefly of earthy or mineral particles, left after the combustion of any substance. (Sometimes as a symbol of grief or repentance.) OE.
ash of roses, ashes of roses a greyish-pink colour. dust and ashes: see DUST noun. in SACKCLOTH and ashes. lay in ashes burn to the ground, destroy utterly. rise from the ashes be renewed after destruction. turn to ashes (in a person's mouth) become utterly disappointing or worthless. volcanic ash: see VOLCANIC adjective.
E. Waugh The fire, unattended.., had sunk to a handful of warm ashes. B. Jones On watering-place islands / our fires of dead wood / sink rapidly to ash. fig.: J. A. Froude Where the ashes of the Sertorian rebellion were still smouldering. P. Gallico The triumph suddenly developed the taste of ashes.
b. sing. A powdery residue (as above); spec. that left after the smoking of tobacco. LME.
J. D. Dana Hircite..after complete combustion leaves an ash.
Dust of the ground, esp. as symbolizing man's mortal constitution. OE.
That which remains of a human body after cremation; poet. mortal remains. ME.
the Ashes Cricket the mythical trophy held by the winners of a series of test matches between England and Australia (orig. with ref. to the symbolical remains of English cricket, taken to Australia).
Ld Macaulay Facing fearful odds For the ashes of his fathers And the temples of his Gods.
Powdery matter ejected from volcanoes. M17.
The colour of (esp. wood) ashes; pale grey; deathlike pallor. E19.
Byron The lip of ashes, and the cheek of flame.
Comb.: ash-bin a receptacle for ashes and household refuse, a rubbish bin; ash blond, ash blonde adjective & noun (of hair) very fair; (a person) with very fair hair; ashcan (chiefly US) = ash-bin above; ash-coloured adjective of the colour of ashes, pale grey; ash-hole a hole beneath a fireplace or furnace into which the ashes fall; ashpan a tray, fitted beneath a grate, in which ashes are collected and removed; ash-pit = ash-hole above; ashtray a receptacle for tobacco-ash etc.; Ash Wednesday the first day of Lent (from the custom of sprinkling ashes on or otherwise applying ashes to the heads of penitents).
ashery noun a place for the manufacture of potash or pearl ash M19.