Storms of sand and dust sometimes overtake Eastern travellers. They are very dreadful, many perishing under them. Jehovah threatens to bring on the land of Israel, as a punishment for forsaking him, a rain of "powder and dust" (Deuteronomy 28:24).

To cast dust on the head was a sign of mourning (Joshua 7:6); and to sit in dust, of extreme affliction (Isaiah 47:1). "Dust" is used to denote the grave (Job 7:21). "To shake off the dust from one's feet" against another is to renounce all future intercourse with him (Matthew 10:14; Acts 13:51). To "lick the dust" is a sign of abject submission (Psalm 72:9); and to throw dust at one is a sign of abhorrence (2 Samuel 16:13; Comp. Acts 22:23).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) 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.

2. (n.) A single particle of earth or other matter.

3. (n.) The earth, as the resting place of the dead.

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

5. (n.) Figuratively, a worthless thing.

6. (n.) Figuratively, a low or mean condition.

7. (n.) Gold dust

8. (n.) Coined money; cash.

9. (v. t.) To free from dust; to brush, wipe, or sweep away dust from; as, to dust a table or a floor.

10. (v. t.) To sprinkle with dust.

11. (v. t.) To reduce to a fine powder; to levigate.