placer

¹ American  

[plas-er] / ˈplæs ər /

noun

Mining.

1. a surficial mineral deposit formed by the concentration of small particles of heavy minerals, as gold, rutile, or platinum, in gravel or small sands.

2. the site of a form of mining placer mining in which a placer deposit is washed to separate the gold or other valuable minerals.

---

placer ² American  

[pley-ser] / ˈpleɪ sər /

noun

1. a person who sets things in their place or arranges them.

2. a person or animal that is among the winners of a race or other contest.

---

placer British  

/ ˈplæsə /

noun

1. 1. surface sediment containing particles of gold or some other valuable mineral

   2. ( in combination )

      placer-mining

---

placer Scientific  

/ plăs′ər /

1. A surface deposit of minerals, such as gold or magnetite, laid down by a river. The minerals are usually concentrated in one area because they are relatively heavy and therefore settle out of the river's currents more quickly than lighter sediments such as silt and sand.

2. ◆ The extraction of minerals from placers, as by panning, washing, or dredging, is called placer mining.

---

Etymology

Origin of placer¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1835–45; from Latin American Spanish; Spanish: “sandbank,” from Catalan placel, derivative of plaza “open place”; plaza

Origin of placer²

First recorded in 1570–80; place + -er ¹

Related Words

• double
• runner-up