dregs

/ drɛɡz /

plural noun

1. solid particles that tend to settle at the bottom of some liquids, such as wine or coffee

2. residue or remains

3. slang,  a despicable person

Word History and Origins

Origin of dregs¹

C14 dreg, from Old Norse dregg; compare Icelandic dreggjar dregs, Latin fracēs oil dregs

Example Sentences

It is not known whether this was one of the issues Sir Jim Ratcliffe was mulling over when the camera panned to him in the last dregs of United's latest damaging loss under Amorim's charge.

From BBC

After all, Ukraine, and Gaza, and the dregs of his trade war with China and the rest of the world await.

From Salon

“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

The dregs of the British Empire could barely restrain their racism and classism, and Meghan was easily cast as a convenient villain.

From Salon

It’s a similar reproach to the dregs of modern culture that you’d see in a “Saw” film, only far more cruel and snobby.

From Salon