1
: hard crisp bread originally used as ship's stores
2
: a sweet or plain bread baked, sliced, and baked again until dry and crisp

Examples of rusk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Biscuits went by unappetizing names such as hardtack, rusks and ship’s biscuits, their durability their main asset. Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2020 Toss with about ½ cup of vinaigrette, making sure to combine thoroughly so the rusks begin to soak up the vinaigrette. Sarah Fritsche, SFChronicle.com, 3 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rusk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish & Portuguese rosca coil, twisted roll

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rusk was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near rusk

Cite this Entry

“Rusk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rusk. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rusk

noun
: a sweet or plain bread baked, sliced, and baked again until dry and crisp

Biographical Definition

Rusk

biographical name

(David) Dean 1909–1994 U.S. Secretary of State (1961–69)
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