return to dust

English

Verb

return to dust (third-person singular simple present returns to dust, present participle returning to dust, simple past and past participle returned to dust)

1. (euphemistic) to die
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:

     Alexander died: Alexander was buried: Alexander returneth into dust