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dreg

[dreg]
See more synonyms for dreg on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. dregs, the sediment of liquids; lees; grounds.
  2. Usually dregs. the least valuable part of anything: the dregs of society.
  3. a small remnant; any small quantity.
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Origin of dreg

1250–1300; Middle English < Old Norse dreg yeast (plural dreggjar dregs); cognate with Old Swedish dräg dregs
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for dreg

Historical Examples

  • Something will occur to dreg my expected draught of happiness with sorrow.

    Eventide

    Effie Afton

  • Surely he didn't tell you to dreg the stones on to the trep?

    Two Knapsacks

    John Campbell

  • I will drink the cup which thou hast mingled, and not a dreg of any of its ingredients shall be left for my people.

  • I will drink the cup which Thou hast mingled, and not a dreg of any of its ingredients shall be left for my people.

    Christmas Evans

    Paxton Hood

  • That friend, the spirit of thy themeExtracting for your ease, Will leave to me the dreg, in thoughtsToo common; such as these.

British Dictionary definitions for dreg

dreg

noun
  1. a small quantitynot a dreg of pity See also dregs
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Word Origin

see dregs
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dreg

n.

see dregs.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper