First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
dross
noun \ˈdräs, ˈdrȯs\
: unwanted material that is removed from a mineral (such as gold) to make it better
: something of low value or quality
Full Definition of DROSS
1
: the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal
2
: waste or foreign matter : impurity
3
: something that is base, trivial, or inferior
— drossy \ˈdrä-sē, ˈdrȯ-\ adjective
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Origin of DROSS
Middle English dros, from Old English drōs dregs
Related to DROSS
Other Metals and Metallurgy Terms
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