placer

¹

[ plas-er ]

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 placer mining in which a placer deposit is washed to separate the gold or other valuable minerals.

placer

²

[ pley-ser ]

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

/ ˈplæsə /

noun

1. 1. surface sediment containing particles of gold or some other valuable mineral
   2. ( in combination )

      placer-mining

placer

/ 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 .

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of placer¹

C19: from American Spanish: deposit, from Spanish plaza place

Example Sentences

Really I had the money, but I just had to spend it in buying the cabin and land that was the only entrance to the placer bed.

From Project Gutenberg

Since 1899 placer mining has increased considerably, although the greater part of the return has been from lode mining.

From Project Gutenberg

Mining claims are of two classes: lode or quartz claims, and placer claims.

From Project Gutenberg

Still lower down we came, on the following day, to a third placer, situated where the valley contracts to a trough.

From Project Gutenberg

Elles tendent placer nos troupes dans un dispositif leur permettant de prendre l'offensive dans un dlai assez rapproch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• double
• runner-up