dregs

Dregs are defined as the most worthless and most undesirable of all items, or the remnants that settle to the bottom of liquid in a container.

(noun)

  1. People who won't work, who depend on government handouts and who try to game the system are an example of the dregs of society.
  2. Coffee grounds at the bottom of the coffee pot are an example of dregs.

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See dregs in Webster's New World College Dictionary

plural noun

  1. the particles of solid matter that settle at the bottom in a liquid; lees
  2. the most worthless part: the dregs of society
  3. a small amount remaining; residue

Origin: ME dregges, pl. of dregge < ON dregg, barm, lees < IE *dherēgh, residue: for base see dark

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