Dredge (dr&ebreve_;j), n. [F. drège, dreige, fish net, from a word akin to E. draw; cf. D. dreg, dregge, small anchor, dregnet dragnet. √73. See Draw.] 1. Any instrument used to gather or take by dragging; as: (a) A dragnet for taking up oysters, etc., from their beds. (b) A dredging machine. (c) An iron frame, with a fine net attached, used in collecting animals living at the bottom of the sea.
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2. (Mining) Very fine mineral matter held in suspension in water. Raymond.
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Dredge, n. [OE. dragge, F. dragée, dredge, also, sugar plum; cf. Prov. dragea, It. treggea; corrupted fr. LL. tragemata, pl., sweetmeats, Gr. traghmata, fr. trwgein to gnaw.] A mixture of oats and barley. [Obs.] Kersey.
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