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]