Definitions

1. noun

impure or useless material that is removed from a metal during smelting or refining, or worthless or unimportant material that is rejected or discarded.

“The blacksmith spent hours removing the dross from the molten metal.”

2. noun

the scum or foam that rises to the surface of a liquid, especially when it is being heated or boiled.

“A layer of dross formed on the surface of the soup as it simmered on the stove.”

3. noun

a person or thing that is worthless or of no value.

“He was considered nothing but dross in the eyes of his former employer.”

4. verb

to remove the dross or scum from something, especially metal.

“The smelter drossed the molten metal to purify it.”

5. verb

to reject or get rid of something as worthless or of no value.

“The manager drossed the underperforming employee’s proposal without even considering it.”