degras

noun

de·​gras
dāˈgrä
plural degras
-äz
1
a
: a fatty substance obtained by pressing certain skins following the action of oxidized fish oil on them and used in dressing leather

called also moellon

see sod oil
b
: a mixture of this substance with other fats or fatty oils (as fish oils) or sometimes wool grease
2

Word History

Etymology

French dégras, back-formation (influenced by gras fat, from Latin crassus thick, fat) from dégraisser to remove the fat from, from Middle French desgresser, from des-, de- de- + gresse, graisse fat, grease

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Dictionary Entries Near degras

Cite this Entry

“Degras.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degras. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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