ashes

ash ¹  (sh)

n.

1. The grayish-white to black powdery residue left when something is burned.

2. Geology Pulverized particulate matter ejected by volcanic eruption.

3. The mineral residue of incinerated organic matter, used as an additive in pet foods.

4. ashes Ruins: the ashes of a lost culture.

5. ashes Bodily remains, especially after cremation or decay.

tr.v. ashed, ash·ing, ash·es

To reduce or convert to ash: ash a tissue sample for analysis.

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[Middle English asshe, from Old English æsce; see as- in Indo-European roots.]

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ash ²  (sh)

n.

1. Any of various chiefly deciduous ornamental or timber trees of the genus Fraxinus, having opposite, pinnately compound leaves, clusters of small flowers, and one-seeded winged fruits.

2. The strong, elastic wood of this tree, used for furniture, tool handles, and sporting goods such as baseball bats.

3. Linguistics The letter æ in Old English and some modern phonetic alphabets, representing the vowel sound of Modern English ash.

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[Middle English asshe, from Old English æsc.]

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ashes

Noun, pl

1. remains after burning

2. the remains of a human body after cremation

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Ashes

Noun, pl

the Ashes a cricket trophy competed for by England and Australia since 1882 [from a mock obituary of English cricket after a great Australian victory]