Dross: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Middle English term 'drosse', which meant residue or waste material.
• Its roots can be traced back to Old English, where it referred to the dregs or sediment found in liquids.

Industrial Processes

• In metallurgy, dross forms during the smelting process; it consists of impurities that float on top of molten metals.
• The removal of dross is crucial in metal refining, ensuring higher quality and purity in the final product.

Literature

• In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', dross is metaphorically used, contrasting valuable thoughts with worthless ones.
• The phrase 'dross of society' has appeared in literary critiques to refer to those seen as unworthy or beneath societal standards.

Cultural References

• Various cultures view dross not just as waste but also as a metaphor for personal growth, emphasizing the importance of shedding the unnecessary.
• In alchemy, the separation of dross from valuable materials symbolized the quest for spiritual purity.

Philosophy

• Philosophers often use the concept of dross to discuss moral and ethical impurities that hinder personal enlightenment.
• This term is used in discourse about the human condition, suggesting a need to discard trivialities to achieve deeper understanding.

Positioned at #22,478, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 22475 narrate
• 22476 reciprocate
• 22477 accrediting
• 22478 dross
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• 22480 colloquy
• 22481 tailing
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