'In dust and ashes' definitions:

Definition of 'In dust and ashes'

From: GCIDE
  • Dust \Dust\ (d[u^]st), 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. [root]71.]
  • 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 to minute portions; fine powder; as, clouds of dust; bone dust. [1913 Webster]
  • Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. --Gen. iii. 19. [1913 Webster]
  • Stop! -- for thy tread is on an empire's dust. --Byron. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A single particle of earth or other matter. [R.] "To touch a dust of England's ground." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The earth, as the resting place of the dead. [1913 Webster]
  • For now shall sleep in the dust. --Job vii. 21. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. The earthy remains of bodies once alive; the remains of the human body. [1913 Webster]
  • And you may carve a shrine about my dust. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Figuratively, a worthless thing. [1913 Webster]
  • And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. Figuratively, a low or mean condition. [1913 Webster]
  • [God] raiseth up the poor out of the dust. --1 Sam. ii. 8. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. Gold dust; hence: (Slang) Coined money; cash. [1913 Webster]
  • 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 dust, or
  • To kick up dust, to make a commotion. [Colloq.]
  • To throw dust in one's eyes, to mislead; to deceive. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]