slag

 
Pronunciation: /slag/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore: the burning liquid iron was forming a scum of slag
  • stony material ejected by a volcano; scoria: [count noun]: flow after flow of lava, slags, powders, and ejecta cast upon the previous outpourings in grotesque patterns
  • 2British informal, derogatory a promiscuous woman.
  • a contemptible or insignificant person.

verb (slags, slagging, slagged)

  • 1 [no object] (usually as noun slagging) produce deposits of slag: the furnace burns at a minimum temperature to reduce slagging
  • 2 [with object] British informal criticize (someone) in an abusive and insulting manner: my girlfriend was always slagging him off

Derivatives

slaggy

adjective (slaggier, slaggiest)

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Middle Low German slagge, perhaps from slagen 'strike', with reference to fragments formed by hammering. The verb sense 'criticize' dates from the 1970s