dust-cloth

She uses a soft dust-cloth to wipe the wooden bookshelf.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cloth used for dusting: "dust-cloth" refers to a piece of fabric specifically used for removing dust from surfaces, such as furniture, shelves, or floors.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She wiped the table with a clean dust-cloth. (A fabric used to clean dust off the table.)
  • The housekeeper always keeps a dust-cloth in her apron pocket. (A cloth for dusting purposes.)

Advanced Usage

• "to use a dust-cloth": to apply a cloth for cleaning dust.

  • He used a damp dust-cloth to avoid scattering dust into the air. (A cloth moistened to trap dust effectively.)

• "dust-cloth" as a compound: often hyphenated or written as one word ("dustcloth") in informal contexts, but the hyphenated form is standard in dictionaries.

Variants and Related Words

• Dustcloth (n): alternative spelling without the hyphen.

  • The dustcloth was worn out from repeated use. (A cloth for dusting.)

• Duster (n): a tool or garment used for removing dust, sometimes synonymous with "dust-cloth."

  • She shook the duster outside the window. (A tool for cleaning dust.)

• Dust (n): fine particles of matter, such as dirt or pollen.

  • The shelf was covered in a thin layer of dust. (The substance removed by a dust-cloth.)

Synonyms

• Dusting cloth: a cloth specifically for dusting.
• Cleaning rag: a general term for a piece of fabric used for cleaning.

Related Idioms

• "Not a dust-cloth in sight": an expression meaning no cleaning is being done.

  • The room was messy, and not a dust-cloth in sight. (No one was cleaning.)

• "To make a dust-cloth of something": to use an item as a cleaning cloth, often implying damage or misuse.

  • He made a dust-cloth of his old shirt. (He used the shirt for dusting, ruining it.)