dreg

2 definitions found

dreg - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Dreg \Dreg\ (dr[e^]g), n. [Prob. from Icel. dregg; akin to Sw.
     dr[aum]gg, cf. Icel. & Sw. draga to draw. Cf. Draw.]
     Corrupt or defiling matter contained in a liquid, or
     precipitated from it; refuse; feculence; lees; grounds;
     sediment; hence, the vilest and most worthless part of
     anything; as, the dregs of society.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           We, the dregs and rubbish of mankind.    --Dryden.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Used formerly (rarely) in the singular, as by Spenser
           and Shakespeare, but now chiefly in the plural.
           [1913 Webster]

dreg - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  dreg
      n 1: a small amount of residue