drossy

[ draw-see, dros-ee ]

adjective

, dross·i·er, dross·i·est.

1. containing dross.
2. resembling dross; worthless.

Other Words From

• drossi·ness noun
• un·drossy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of drossy¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; dross, -y ¹

Example Sentences

For two whole pages, Lord Gifford rages inwardly against the “self-opinionated mortals” of the book-review racket before flinging the magazine into a bush, “to be picked up and deposited in the drossy handbarrow next day by the gardener’s son.”

From Slate

A style rugged as crags; coarse, drossy: yet with a meaning in it, an energy, a depth; pouring on like a fire torrent; perennial fire of it visible athwart all drosses and defacements; not uninteresting to see!

From Project Gutenberg

One thing I go by is this; it makes other pictures I once admired seem drossy, earth-born things.

From Project Gutenberg

Undrossy, un-dros′i, adj. not drossy, not impure.

From Project Gutenberg

Then washing it several times again, they first rub it lightly with their hands; afterward they draw off any earthy and drossy matter with slender sponges gently applied to the powdered dust, till it be clean, pure gold.

From Project Gutenberg