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dreg

American  
[dreg] / drɛg /

noun

  1. dregs, the sediment of liquids; lees; grounds.

  2. Usually dregs. the least valuable part of anything.

    the dregs of society.

  3. a small remnant; any small quantity.


dreg British  
/ drɛɡ /

noun

  1. a small quantity See also dregs

    not a dreg of pity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dreg

1250–1300; Middle English < Old Norse dreg yeast (plural dreggjar dregs); cognate with Old Swedish dräg dregs

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A Reform UK source said: "Restore are welcome to our dregs. Let's not forget that six of these councillors were expelled."

From BBC

Gomez’s sculpture thus becomes an important record of a precious moment: one in which the dregs of greed were laid bare for all to see.

From Los Angeles Times

He’d been a little too enthusiastic, sending most of the coffee dregs flying at her.

From Literature

It is not known whether this was one of the issues Sir Jim Ratcliffe was mulling over when the camera panned to him in the last dregs of United's latest damaging loss under Amorim's charge.

From BBC

“Heart Eyes” has two goals: satirize romantic comedies and squeeze the dregs from slasher clichés.

From Los Angeles Times