Stardust: meaning, definitions and examples

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stardust

 

[ ˈstɑːrdʌst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

celestial phenomenon

Stardust refers to the tiny particles that are ejected from stars and can eventually become part of planets and other celestial bodies. In a broader, metaphorical sense, it can also describe something magical or enchanting.

Synonyms

cosmic dust, space particles, star debris

Examples of usage

  • The stardust sprinkled through the galaxy created beautiful patterns.
  • She spoke of her dreams as if they were made of stardust.
  • Astronomers study the stardust found in meteorites to learn about the early solar system.
Context #2 | Noun

metaphorical usage

In a metaphorical sense, 'stardust' is often used to describe something that has a magical or dreamlike quality, evoking feelings of wonder and beauty.

Synonyms

enchantment, magic, wonder

Examples of usage

  • The performance was filled with stardust, captivating the audience.
  • Her smile was bright and radiant, as if sprinkled with stardust.
  • The old movies capture the stardust of a bygone era.

Translations

Translations of the word "stardust" in other languages:

🇵🇹 poeira das estrelas

🇮🇳 तारों की धूल

🇩🇪 Sternenstaub

🇮🇩 debu bintang

🇺🇦 зоряний пил

🇵🇱 pył gwiezdny

🇯🇵 星の埃

🇫🇷 poussière d'étoile

🇪🇸 polvo de estrellas

🇹🇷 yıldız tozu

🇰🇷 별의 먼지

🇸🇦 غبار النجوم

🇨🇿 hvězdný prach

🇸🇰 hviezdny prach

🇨🇳 星尘

🇸🇮 zvezdni prah

🇮🇸 stjörnuþoka

🇰🇿 жұлдыздың шаңы

🇬🇪 ვარსკვლავური მტვერი

🇦🇿 ulduz tozu

🇲🇽 polvo de estrellas

Etymology

The term 'stardust' is a compound word formed from 'star' and 'dust'. 'Star' originates from the Old English word 'steorra', related to Latin 'stella' and Greek 'aster', all meaning a luminous celestial body. The word 'dust' comes from Old French 'doste', which has roots in Latin 'pulvis', meaning fine, dry particles. The combination of these words to describe the material produced by stars emphasizes both the celestial and the ephemeral qualities of the substance. The word gained popularity in the early 20th century and has been used in various artistic works, conveying a sense of cosmic magic and wonder. Over time, 'stardust' has also been embraced in literature and music as a metaphor for aspirations and dreams, suggesting that we are all made from the remnants of stars, lending a poetic quality to the concept of our existence being tied to the universe.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,259, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.