Dross
/drɒs/noun
Unwanted material or impurities that are removed from molten metal during processing.
Did you know?In ancient metallurgy, dross was not merely waste; it was believed to hold the potential for hidden metals, symbolizing the alchemical process of turning base into noble.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dru-
“to flow, to run”
Old English
Old English
dros
“refuse, waste from smelting”
Middle English
Middle English
dros
“scum or waste matter”
14th Century
Middle English
drosse
“impurities from molten metals”
Modern English
English
dross
“the residue or waste from molten metal processes”