ash
ash Lexical Profile
ash Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The grayish-white to black powdery substance left after a combustible material has been completely burned.
"The volcano erupted, blanketing the surrounding villages in a thick layer of ash."
The cremated remains of a human body (usually used in the plural).
"Following her wishes, they scattered her ashes over the ocean at sunrise."
A forest tree of the olive family (genus Fraxinus) with pinnate leaves, winged fruits, and tough, elastic wood.
"The cabinetmaker preferred working with ash because of its durability and beautiful, straight grain."
• verb
To flick, tap, or drop the powdery residue from a burning cigarette, cigar, or similar item.
"He stepped out onto the balcony to ash his cigarette before coming back inside."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word functions as a homograph representing two historically unrelated concepts: the residue left by fire and a type of tree.
• Rhymes for ash
Word Origin & Etymology
Derives from two distinct Old English roots that merged in spelling: 'æsce' (powdery residue from fire) from Proto-Germanic '*askōn', and 'æsc' (the tree) from Proto-Germanic '*askaz'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.