DROSS

impurity, dross

(noun) worthless or dangerous material that should be removed; “there were impurities in the water”

slag, scoria, dross

(noun) the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

dross (usually uncountable, plural drosses)

Waste or impure matter.

Residue that forms on the surface of a metal from oxidation.

The impurities in metal.

A waste product from working with metal.

(figurative) Worthless or trivial matter.

Synonyms: junk, rubbish

Verb

dross (third-person singular simple present drosses, present participle drossing, simple past and past participle drossed)

(transitive) To remove dross from.

Anagrams

• sords

Source: Wiktionary

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Dross, n. Etym: [AS. dros, fr. dreósan to fall. See Dreary.]

1. The scum or refuse matter which is thrown off, or falls from, metals in smelting the ore, or in the process of melting; recrement.

2. Rust of metals. [R.] Addison.

3. Waste matter; any worthless matter separated from the better part; leavings; dregs; refuse. All world's glory is but dross unclean. Spenser. At the devil's booth are all things sold, Each ounce of dross coats its ounce of gold. Lowell.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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