Category:Dross

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.

---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

Dross - The impurities of silver separated from the one in the process of melting (Proverbs 25:4; Proverbs 26:23; Psalms 119:119). It is also used to denote the base metal itself, probably before it is smelted, in Isaiah 1:22, Isaiah 1:25.