slag
UK[slæɡ]US[slæɡ]
n
the waste material that remains after metal has been separated from rock by heating
n
a woman who has many casual sexual partners (offensive, slang)
v
to produce slag as waste during metal production
Etymology
the word 'slag' entered english in the mid-16th century from middle low german 'slagge', which denoted the dross or refuse left after smelting metal. the germanic root is likely related to the verb 'to strike', as the material could splinter off or be a byproduct of the violent smelting process. this original, industrial meaning remains the primary, non-offensive definition. the derogatory slang sense for a person, attested from the late 18th century, applies the concept of worthless residue metaphorically to a human being, reflecting a harsh societal judgment.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it is a loanword from middle low german 'slagge', meaning 'dross, splinter'. its functional role is as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
the blast furnace produces tons of slag as a byproduct.
the old steel mill site is covered in layers of solidified slag.
the copper slag was recycled for use in construction aggregates.