rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydregsUnwanted remains
noun

dregs

DREGZ/dreɡz/

The least desirable remains of something.

Dark wine and coarse sediment form the dregs at the bottom of the glass.

A nearly empty clear wineglass with a small puddle of dark red wine and a conspicuous layer of coarse sediment settled at the bottom.
Etymology
dregOld Norsesediment
+sEnglishplural

Dregs originally named the sediment that settles at the bottom of a liquid. That leftover material became an image for the worthless residue or least desirable part of anything.

In context

Paul Benedict New Raja Yoga23:04
the guides are both elementals and elementaries, and not even a decent half and half, but the very dregs in the mug of the mediumistic beer.
Session 34 | Secrets of the Mahatma Letters

More examples

  • We sort through the dregs of the clearance bin.
  • Nobody wants the dregs left on the snack tray.
  • The sequel recycles the dregs of the writer's old ideas.

Forms

dregs

Similar words

leftovers
Anything remaining after use, not necessarily unwanted or worthless.
scraps
Small leftover pieces, often still useful for another purpose.
residue
Material remaining after a process, without necessarily implying worthlessness.