n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Rust of metals. [ R. ] Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Waste matter; any worthless matter separated from the better part; leavings; dregs; refuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

All world's glory is but dross unclean. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

At the devil's booth are all things sold,
Each ounce of dross coats its ounce of gold. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Drazel. ] A slut; a hussy; a drazel. [ Obs. ] Warner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Free from dross. Stevens. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Drossier superl. Drossiest ] Of, pertaining to, resembling, dross; full of dross; impure; worthless. “ Drossy gold.” Dryden. “Drossy rhymes.” Donne. -- Dross"i*ness, n. [1913 Webster]