Word of the Day: Dross

dross

dross / drŏs or drôs

noun

1. waste, garbage, trash, impurity

I also have in mind that seemingly wealthy, but most terribly impoverished class of all, who have accumulated dross, but know not how to use it, or get rid of it, and thus have forged their own golden or silver fetters.

Henry David Thoreau, 1817 – 1862

2. the scum formed on the surface of molten metal as the result of oxidation

When a man makes utensils out of a metal which has been thoroughly cleansed of dross, the utensils will be excellent.

Gautama Buddha, 567 BC – 484 BC

3. a trivial or inconsequential matter

Beauty is but dross if honesty be lost.

Dutch Proverb