ore

Meaning

Noun

• Rock or other material that contains valuable or utilitarian materials; primarily a rock containing metals or gems for which it is typically mined and processed.

Origin

• From Middle English or, oor, blend of Old English ōra ("ore, unwrought metal") and ār, the first a derivate of ear, the second from Proto-Germanic *aiz (cognates Old Norse eir ("brass, copper"), German ehern ("of metal, of iron"), Gothic 𐌰𐌹𐌶 ("ore")), from Proto-Indo-European *áyos. Compare Dutch oer ("ferrous hardpan; bog iron ore"). Compare Latin aes ("bronze, copper"), Avestan 𐬀𐬌𐬌𐬀𐬵, Sanskrit अयस् ("copper, iron").