Rust, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rusted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rusting.]
1. To contract rust; to be or become oxidized.
If gold ruste, what shall iron do? --Chaucer.
Our armors now may rust. --Dryden.
2. To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust; also, to acquire a rusty appearance, as plants.
3. Fig.: To degenerate in idleness; to become dull or impaired by inaction.
Must I rust in Egypt? never more
Appear in arms, and be the chief of Greece? --Dryden.
rusting
n : the formation of reddish-brown ferric oxides on iron by
low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water [syn:
rust]