Drĕg, n.

n. [Icel. dregg, Sw. drägg, Dan. draek, Ger. dreck, dirt, mud, trash, allied to Gr. τρύξ, genitive τρυγός, lees, dregs.] Corrupt or defiling matter contained in a liquid, or precipitated from it; refuse; feculence; lees; grounds; sediment; hence, the vilest and most worthless part of any thing; as, the dregs of society. “We, the dregs and rubbish of mankind.” Dryden.

☞ Used formerly in the singular, as by Spenser and Shakespeare, but now chiefly in the plural.