Illustration of ash
- 1ash 1
1
: any of a genus (Fraxinus) of trees of the olive family with pinnate leaves, thin furrowed bark, and gray branchlets
2
: the tough elastic wood of an ash
3
[Old English æsc, name of the corresponding runic letter]
: the ligature æ used in Old English and some phonetic alphabets to represent a low front vowel \a\
often attributive
1
: something that symbolizes grief, repentance, or humiliation
2
a
: the solid residue left when combustible material is thoroughly burned or is oxidized by chemical means
b
: fine particles of mineral matter from a volcanic vent
3
ashes plural
: the remains of the dead human body after cremation or disintegration
4
ashes plural
: deathly pallor
… the lip of ashes and the cheek of flame …—Lord Byron
5
ashed; ashing; ashes
1
technical
: to convert into ash
The insoluble resid fractions are ashed at 800°C to constant weight.—Joseph Haggin
2
: to remove ash residue from (something, such as a cigarette) usually by flicking or tapping
She ashed her cigarette onto a patch of dirt floor, then handed it to me.—Dominic Smith
3
: to apply ash to : to coat with ashes
The rules that once governed the way the game was played had been burnt to the ground, and the earth was salted and ashed for good measure.—Ani Bundel
It's a cow's milk soft cheese that's ashed on the outside. (It's kind of like a goth brie.)—Erin Edwards
Cite this Entry
“Ash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ash. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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