from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ore \Ore\, n. [AS. [=o]ra; cf. [=a]r brass, bronze, akin to OHG.
[=e]r, G. ehern brazen, Icel. eir brass, Goth. ais, L. aes,
Skr. ayas iron. [root]210. Cf. {Ora}, {Era}.]
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1. The native form of a metal, whether free and uncombined,
as gold, copper, etc., or combined, as iron, lead, etc.
Usually the ores contain the metals combined with oxygen,
sulphur, arsenic, etc. (called mineralizers).
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2. (Mining) A native metal or its compound with the rock in
which it occurs, after it has been picked over to throw
out what is worthless.
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3. Metal; as, the liquid ore. [R.] --Milton.
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{Ore hearth}, a low furnace in which rich lead ore is
reduced; -- also called {Scotch hearth}. --Raymond.
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