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stope - 5 dictionary results

stope

[stohp] ,noun, verb, stoped, stop⋅ing.
–noun
1. any excavation made in a mine, esp. from a steeply inclined vein, to remove the ore that has been rendered accessible by the shafts and drifts.
–verb (used without object), verb (used with object)
2. to mine or work by stopes.

Origin:
1740–50; appar. < LG stope; see stoop 2
stope   (stōp)   
n.  An excavation in the form of steps made by the mining of ore from steeply inclined or vertical veins.
tr.v.   stoped, stop·ing, stopes
To remove (ore) from or mine by means of a stope.

[Perhaps from Low German, step, from Middle Low German stōpe.]
stop'er n.

Stope

Stope\, n. [Cf. Step, n. & v. i.] (Mining) A horizontal working forming one of a series, the working faces of which present the appearance of a flight of steps.

Stope

Stope\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stoped; p. pr. & vb. n. Stoping.] (Mining) (a) To excavate in the form of stopes. (b) To fill in with rubbish, as a space from which the ore has been worked out.

Stope

Stope\, Stopen \Sto"pen\, p. p. of Step. Stepped; gone; advanced. [Obs.]

A poor widow, somedeal stope in age. --Chaucer.
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