Ore \Ore\, n. [AS. [=a]ra; cf. [=a]r brass, bronze, akin to OHG.
[=e]r, G. ehern brazen, Icel. eir brass, Goth. ais, L. aes,
Skr. ayas iron. [root]210. Cf. Ora, Era.]
1. The native form of a metal, whether free and uncombined,
as gold, copper, etc., or combined, as iron, lead, etc.
Usually the ores contain the metals combined with oxygen,
sulphur, arsenic, etc. (called mineralizers).
2. (Mining) A native metal or its compound with the rock in
which it occurs, after it has been picked over to throw
out what is worthless.
3. Metal; as, the liquid ore. [R.]
--Milton.
Ore hearth, a low furnace in which rich lead ore is
reduced; -- also called Scotch hearth. --Raymond.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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