winze

¹ American  

[winz] / wɪnz /

Or windz

noun

Mining.

1. a vertical or inclined shaft driven downward from a drift into an orebody.

---

winze ² American  

[winz] / wɪnz /

noun

Scot.

1. a curse.

---

winze British  

/ wɪnz /

noun

1. mining a steeply inclined shaft, as for ventilation between levels

---

Etymology

Origin of winze¹

1750–60; earlier winds, apparently derivative of wind ² in obsolete noun sense “apparatus for winding”

Origin of winze²

1775–85; perhaps < Dutch wens wish, wensen to wish; see wish

Example Sentences

Determined to save his candle for use in the unknown winze, he slowly groped his way through utter darkness, and finally reached what he believed to be the end of the drift.

From The Copper Princess A Story of Lake Superior Mines by Rogers, W. A. (William Allen)

But they had no time to speak—scarcely to think—for the water was already boiling up through the winze like a huge fountain, and filling the level.

From Deep Down, a Tale of the Cornish Mines by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

“About 60 feet,” said he, “it’s a winze, and goes down to the next level!”

From Personal Reminiscences in Book Making and Some Short Stories by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

Here they found water pouring down like rain, and heard its thunders above them, but the stream was not sufficient to retard their progress up the winze, which they ascended with comparative ease.

From Deep Down, a Tale of the Cornish Mines by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

By this time Oliver had partially recovered, and suggested that they should ascend the winze to the top.

From Deep Down, a Tale of the Cornish Mines by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)