dregs Hear it!

dregs Definition

dregs (dregz)

  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

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

dregs Synonyms

dregs

n.

  1. Sediment

    lees, grounds, slag; see residue.

  2. The most worthless part

    scum, refuse, riffraff; see trash 1, 2.

dregs Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • humanity: We are plagued with idiots on radio and television who speak English like the dregs of humanity.
  • society: People who treat the elderly badly are the dregs of society.
  • community: People who burgle off there own, are the dregs of the community.
  • work: Fill with about an inch and a half with beer - the dregs of home brew work very well.
  • tea: As we slurped the last dregs of tea from now freezing cups, I had a bleep on my left hand rod.
  • earth: He did not care, these were the dregs of the earth and he hated being there.

Preposition: from

  • bottle: As Harry drains the last dregs from the bottle outside a hospital an ambulance draws in.

Converse of object

  • drain: As Harry drains the last dregs from the bottle outside a hospital an ambulance draws in.
  • get: The late Lord Longford made the point less tactfully five years ago: " We would get the dregs.
  • drink: Or look at yon fallen woman drinking the dregs of her bitter, damning cup!
  • leave: Leaving the coffee dregs, I got back onto the bus.
  • use: Mr Laver, Oxford use the dregs of the teapot to water house plants as they will benefit from the fermenting tea leaves.
  • have: It doesn't help that I still have the dregs of flu inside me, and my leg has been playing up recently.

Adjective modifier

  • last: I'm still here, the last dregs of BP haven't gone yet.
  • bitter: He will consume the cup to the bitter dregs.
dregs Quotes

O cease! must hate and death return, Cease! must men kill and die? Cease! drain not to its dregs the urn Of bitter prophecy. The world is weary of the past, Oh, might it die or rest at last!

—Shelley, Percy Bysshe

None would live past years again, Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain; And, from the dregs of life, think to receive, What the first sprightly running could not give.

—Dryden,John

Browse dictionary entries near dregs

  1. dreggy
  2. dree
  3. dredge up
  4. dredge
  5. dreck
  6. dreary
  7. drear
  8. dreamy
  9. dreamscape
  10. dreamless
  1. dreidel
  2. Dreiser
  3. drench
  4. Dresden
  5. dress
  6. dress circle
  7. dress code
  8. dress-down
  9. dress parade
  10. dress rehearsal