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

: the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal

: waste or foreign matter : impurity

: something that is base, trivial, or inferior

— drossy \ˈdrä-sē, ˈdrȯ-\ adjective

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Middle English dros, from Old English drōs dregs

First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonyms: chaff, deadwood, debris, dreck (also drek), garbage, dust, effluvium (also effluvia), junk, litter, offal, offscouring, raffle, refuse, riffraff, rubbish, scrap, spilth, trash, truck, waste

Next Word in the Dictionary: drosserPrevious Word in the Dictionary: drosophyllumAll Words Near: dross

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