An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Tiny pieces of solid material, such as carbon and silicate grains, in the → interstellar medium that are about 0.1-1.0 micron in size. → Dust grains embedded in → molecular clouds may be significantly larger.

Etymology (EN): O.E. dust, akin to O.H.G. tunst “storm,”
from P.Gmc. *dunstaz, from PIE base dhem-/dhemə- “to smoke, to blow,” cf. Skt. dhūmá “smoke,” Mod.Pers.
dam “smoke; to blow, breathe,” Av. dāδmainya- “blowing up,”
Gk. thumiao “to fumigate, burn incense,” thymos “spirit, mind, soul,”
L. fumus “smoke,” Ossetic dymyn/dumun “to smoke, blow up,” Lith. dumai “smoke.”

Etymology (PE): Qobâr, from Ar.; gard “dust,” Mid.Pers. gart, gard.