dross

[draws, dros]

noun

1. waste matter; refuse.

2. Metallurgy.,  a waste product taken off molten metal during smelting, essentially metallic in character.

3. British.,  coal of little value.

dross

/ drɒs /

noun

1. the scum formed, usually by oxidation, on the surfaces of molten metals

2. worthless matter; waste

Other Word Forms

• drossy adjective
• drossiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dross¹

before 1050; Middle English dros ( se ), Old English drōs; cognate with Middle Dutch droes dregs; compare Middle English drōsen, Old English drōsna; cognate with Middle High German truosen husks

Word History and Origins

Origin of dross¹

Old English drōs dregs; related to Old High German truosana

Example Sentences

All was constant churn and movement; there was considerable dross, but also genuine, spontaneous creativity.

Read more on Salon

As I’ve written before, the concentration of wealth in America has reached levels that make the gilt of the 19th century Gilded Age look like dross.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

West Indies moved ahead, Root was asked to bowl some off-spin dross into the pads of Da Silva, who swept three fours and hit a six over long-on.

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But to appreciate the treasure it becomes, you have to understand the dross from which it came.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The dross of everyday life is very, very powerful and very strong. So you need to protect your special relationship with your music.”

Read more on New York Times