stardust
/ˈstɑɹˌdʌst/
Frequency: 3.17 in modern English
Meaning
noun
Small fragments of dustlike material found in space; specifically, a type of cosmic dust that formed from cooling gases ejected from presolar stars, which was then incorporated into the cloud from which the Solar System condensed.
Uncountable
noun
A distant cluster of stars resembling a cloud of dust, especially if the individual stars of which cannot be resolved with a telescope.
Dated; Informal; Uncountable
noun
Small fragments in the Earth's atmosphere or on its surface originating from meteorites; meteor dust.
Archaic; Uncountable
noun
An imaginary magic dust or powder that, when in one's eyes, supposedly causes one to view a person or thing favourably, even though this might not actually be warranted.
Uncountable
noun
An imaginary magic dust or powder supposedly able to give one charisma or other positive qualities; hence, charisma or glamour, especially that possessed by a celebrity.
Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "We are all made of stardust."
- "Presolar grains were isolated in primitive meteorites only 15 years ago. These grains of stardust formed in the atmospheres of evolved stars and in nova and supernova ejecta."
- "His [Sickert's] paint has a tangible quality; it is made not of air and star-dust but of oil and earth."
- "My sister’s eyes were full of stardust – she’d spend hours lazily planning her future life when she would make her big break in the movies."
- "Why would experienced deal makers want rock stars and actors to advise them? Why would entrepreneurs seek their money? There is a certain cachet with all that stardust, of course, and perhaps some free publicity."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈstɑɹˌdʌst/
- British English: /ˈstɑːdʌst/