ash

views updated Jun 08 2018

ash2 powdery residue of combustion. OE. æsċe, æxe = MLG. asche, Du. as, OHG. asca (G. asche), ON, aska; cf. Goth. *azgō. Ash Wednesday first day of Lent XIII; after ecclL. dies cinerum ‘day of ashes’; cf. F. jour or mercredi des cendres, G. aschermittwoch.