winze

¹ American  

[winz] / wɪnz /

Or windz

noun

Mining.

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

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winze ² American  

[winz] / wɪnz /

noun

Scot.

1. a curse.

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winze British  

/ wɪnz /

noun

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

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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

Accordingly, they mounted to the level above, and were lowered one at a time to the bottom of the unfinished winze by a windlass, which was turned by the man whose comrade had become unwell.

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

There was no draught, such as he had believed would issue from the winze.

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

When a miner drives the end of his level so far that the air will not circulate, a new winze is usually sunk down to him from the level above.

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

Afterwards he returned to his familiar haunts underground; and although he could no longer labour in the old way, he was quite able to work a windlass, and draw up the bucket at a winze.

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

Moreover, it is easier to follow the ore in a rise than in a winze.

From Principles of Mining Valuation, Organization and Administration by Hoover, Herbert