dusted

Dusted is the past tense and past participle of the verb dust. It covers several related but distinct uses in cleaning, cooking, and forensic contexts, as well as common phrasal expressions.

In cleaning, to dust means to remove loose particles from surfaces such as furniture, shelves, or electronics, using a cloth, feather duster, or vacuum. The action reduces visible dust and helps maintain tidier spaces.

In culinary terms, dusting refers to sprinkling a light, even layer of a fine powder onto food. Common examples include dusting a cake with powdered sugar, dusting meat with flour or spices, or dusting pastry with cocoa.

In forensics, dusting describes applying fingerprint powder to a surface to reveal latent fingerprints. The powder adheres to oils left by skin, making prints visible for collection and analysis.

Dusted also appears in idiomatic phrases. For example, dusting off an old manuscript or idea means to bring it out again after a period of dormancy, often with some revision. The related verb phrase dust off can imply revitalization or reintroduction, rather than simply removing dust.

Adjective usage is less common, but “dusted” can describe something that has been lightly coated with dust or has undergone a dusting process in a particular context (for example, a surface that has been dusted). Overall, the term spans everyday cleaning, culinary application, forensic technique, and language where renewal or reintroduction is implied.