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.

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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.

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placer British  

/ ˈplæsə /

noun

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

   2. ( in combination )

      placer-mining

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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.

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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

Example Sentences

Dorr, whose story earned newspaper coverage in subsequent years, claimed the sand there was “very rich in placer gold.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2023

Mining remains a major and obvious presence, with bold, yellow-black signs announcing: “This business supports placer mining. Placer mining supports this business.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 10, 2021

Mr. Tremblay began placer mining a few years ago, a passion he admitted is stoked more by the thrill of discovery than the prospect of striking it rich.

From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2017

On this date in 1901, prospectors discovered gold four miles from Wickenburg, sparking a rush of placer miners to the Hassayampa River.

From Washington Times • Mar. 18, 2015

The methods of prospecting and working placer ground have undergone many improvements, but there are still many men practicing the primitive ways of a generation ago.

From The Business of Mining A brief non-technical exposition of the principles involved in the profitable operation of mines by Hoskin, Arthur J.

Related Words

• double
• runner-up