ˈȯfəl, ˈäf- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from of off + fal, fall fall — more at off , fall
1. : material that is left as waste or by-product of a process of preparation or manufacture: as
a. : the stalks and dust from tobacco leaves
b. : less valuable portions (as the belly, head, and shoulders) of a hide
c. : the by-products of milling (as of wheat or barley) used especially for stock feed
d. : the parts of a butchered animal that are removed in dressing, that consist largely of the viscera (as brain, heart, sweetbreads, liver) and the trimmings (as tail, hooves, blood, skin, head meat), and that are used as edible products or as raw material in the manufacture of by-products
e. : small or inferior or unmarketable fish
2.
a. : a dead or slaughtered animal or parts of it considered inedible by nature or through tainting : carrion
b. : something thrown away as worthless : rubbish , garbage
c. : worthless, vicious, or outcast persons
offal of the jails and brothels — T.B.Macaulay
Synonyms: see refuse