Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ASH'ES, n. [plur. without the singular number. Sax. asca; Goth. azga; D. asch; G. asche; Sw. aska; Dan. aske; Basque, auscua.]

1. The earthy particles of combustible substances remaining after combustion; as of wood or coal.
2. The remains of the human body when burnt. Hence figuratively, a dead body or corpse.
3. In Scripture, ashes is used to denote vileness, meanness, frailty, or humiliation. I who am but dust and ashes. Gen. xviii. I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes. Job xlii.