lode
oxford
views updated May 18 2018lode / lōd/ •
n. a vein of metal ore in the earth. ∎ [in sing.] fig. a rich source of something: a rich lode of scandal and alleged crime.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
lode
oxford
views updated May 23 2018lode †way, journey OE.; watercourse; loadstone XVI; vein of ore XVII. OE.
lād LOAD, of which
lode is a sp.-var.
lodestar pole star, guiding star. XIV.
lodestone see
LOADSTONE.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
lode
oxford
views updated May 08 2018lode Mineral vein or system of veins; in Cornwall (UK) especially, refers to productive veins only.
A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY