wall rock

noun

, Mining.

1. the rock forming the walls of a vein.

wall rock

noun

1. rock that is immediately adjacent to a mineral vein, fault, or igneous intrusion

Word History and Origins

Origin of wall rock¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

The undergrowth was very dense out to the edge of the perpendicular wall rock.

From Project Gutenberg

In igneous rock the ore-bearing solutions may have altered the wall rock to a dense mixture of quartz, sericite, and chlorite.

From Project Gutenberg

Their principal occurrence is in distinct fissure veins in igneous rocks, with more or less replacement of the wall rock.

From Project Gutenberg

The ore fills fissures to some extent, but is mainly a replacement of the wall rock.

From Project Gutenberg

In narrow lodes, some of the wall-rock must be cut away to get room for the workmen.

From Project Gutenberg