gold mine

gold mine
Mine Mine, n. [F., fr. LL. mina. See {Mine}, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. A subterranean cavity or passage; especially: (a) A pit or excavation in the earth, from which metallic ores, precious stones, coal, or other mineral substances are taken by digging; -- distinguished from the pits from which stones for architectural purposes are taken, and which are called quarries. (b) (Mil.) A cavity or tunnel made under a fortification or other work, for the purpose of blowing up the superstructure with some explosive agent. [1913 Webster]

2. Any place where ore, metals, or precious stones are got by digging or washing the soil; as, a placer mine. [1913 Webster]

3. (Fig.): A rich source of wealth or other good. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. (Mil.) An explosive device placed concealed in a location, on land or at sea, where an enemy vehicle or enemy personnel may pass through, having a triggering mechanism which detects people or vehicles, and which will explode and kill or maim personnel or destroy or damage vehicles. A mine placed at sea (formerly called a {torpedo}, see {torpedo}[2] (a) ) is also called an marine mine and underwater mine and sometimes called a floating mine, even though it may be anchored to the floor of the sea and not actually float freely. A mine placed on land (formerly called a {torpedo}, see {torpedo}[3]), usually buried, is called a land mine. [PJC]

{Mine dial}, a form of magnetic compass used by miners.

{Mine pig}, pig iron made wholly from ore; in distinction from {cinder pig}, which is made from ore mixed with forge or mill cinder.

{gold mine} (a) a mine where gold is obtained. (b) (Fig.) a rich source of wealth or other good; same as {Mine} 3. --Raymond. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Gold mine — Gold Gold (g[=o]ld), n. [AS. gold; akin to D. goud, OS. & G. gold, Icel. gull, Sw. & Dan. guld, Goth. gul[thorn], Russ. & OSlav. zlato; prob. akin to E. yellow. [root]49, 234. See {Yellow}, and cf. {Gild}, v. t.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Chem.) A… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gold-mine — late 15c., from GOLD (Cf. gold) + MINE (Cf. mine) (n.). Figurative use by 1882 …   Etymology dictionary

  • gold mine — gold′ mine n. 1) min a mine yielding gold 2) a source of great wealth or profit 3) a copious source or reserve • Etymology: 1425–75 …   From formal English to slang

  • gold mine — n. 1. a mine from which gold ore is obtained 2. Informal a source of something very valuable or profitable …   English World dictionary

  • gold mine — ► NOUN 1) a place where gold is mined. 2) a source of great wealth or valuable resources …   English terms dictionary

  • gold mine — [n] very profitable venture bonanza, cash cow*, golden goose*, goose that laid the golden egg*, gravy train*, license to print money*, mother lode, source of supply, vein; concepts 334,537,572 …   New thesaurus

  • gold mine — 1. a mine yielding gold. 2. a source of great wealth or profit, or any desirable thing. 3. a copious source or reserve of something required: a gold mine of information about antiques. [1425 75; late ME] * * * …   Universalium

  • gold mine — noun a) A mine for gold ore or metal. South Africa has many goldmines. b) A very profitable economic venture. This oil deposit is a regular gold mine. We make more and more money every year! …   Wiktionary

  • gold mine —  A very profitable opportunity.  ► “While older folks may fret over long term care, life insurance companies are coming to see it as a potential gold mine.” (Euromoney, July 1995, p. 51) …   American business jargon

  • Gold Mine Studios — is the name of recording studios in Los Angeles, California and Brentwood, Tennessee. Gold Mine is owned by LCS Entertainment Group, headed up by producer Chris Christian. Countless albums have been recorded at Gold Mine since the 1970s,… …   Wikipedia

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