Hypertext Webster Gateway: "dross"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Dross
the impurities of silver separated from the one in the process
of melting (Prov. 25:4; 26:23; Ps. 119:119). It is also used to
denote the base metal itself, probably before it is smelted, in
Isa. 1:22, 25.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Dross \Dross\, n. [AS. dros, fr. dre['o]san 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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
dross
n 1: worthless material that should be removed; "there were
impurities in the water" [syn: {impurity}]
2: the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals
[syn: {slag}, {scoria}]
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