slag

¹ American  

[slag] / slæg /

noun

1. Also called cinder.  the more or less completely fused and vitrified matter separated during the reduction of a metal from its ore.

2. the scoria from a volcano.

3. waste left over after the re-sorting of coal.

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verb (used with object)

slagged, slagging

1. to convert into slag.

2. Metallurgy. to remove slag from (a steel bath).

verb (used without object)

slagged, slagging

1. to form slag; become a slaglike mass.

slag ² American  

[slag] / slæg /

noun

1. British Slang. an abusive woman.

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slag British  

/ slæɡ /

noun

1. Also called: cinder.  the fused material formed during the smelting or refining of metals by combining the flux with gangue, impurities in the metal, etc. It usually consists of a mixture of silicates with calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, etc See also basic slag

2. a mass of rough fragments of pyroclastic rock and cinders derived from a volcanic eruption; scoria

3. a mixture of shale, clay, coal dust, and other mineral waste produced during coal mining

4. slang a coarse or dissipated girl or woman

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verb

1. slang (tr) (usually foll by off) to abuse (someone) verbally

2. slang (intr) to spit

slag Scientific  

/ slăg /

1. The vitreous mass left as a residue by the smelting of metallic ore. It consists mostly of the siliceous and aluminous impurities from the iron ore.

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Usage

What else does slag mean? Content warning: the following content includes references to strong and sexist language.In slang, slag is an insulting British English term for a contemptible person. When used of women, it can be equivalent to slut.As a verb, to slag (off somebody) is "to attack (them) verbally," i.e., to talk smack about them.

Other Word Forms

• slagability noun
• slagable adjective
• slagging noun
• slaggy adjective
• slagless adjective
• slaglessness noun
• unslagged adjective

Etymology

Origin of slag¹

1545–55; < Middle Low German slagge; cognate with German Schlacke dross, slag; slack ²

Origin of slag¹

First recorded in 1780–90; originally an argot word for a worthless person or a thug; perhaps identical with slag ¹

Example Sentences

Excavations and geophysical surveys in this area revealed crucibles, slag, and tin bronze artifacts.

From Science Daily

Next to the sculpture are barrels of toxic "slag" leftover from the melting process.

From BBC

It is a quiet town surrounded by World War One memorials and by the tall coal slag heaps that litter this stretch of northern France.

From BBC

Nearby, excavators found iron slag - some of it fused to the furnace wall - hinting at advanced metalworking techniques.

From BBC

Bryan had told his son he would train by running up and down the slag heaps behind his house.

From BBC

Related Words

• lava