The native form of a metal, whether free and uncombined, as gold, copper, etc., or combined, as iron, lead, etc. Usually the ores contain the metals combined with oxygen, sulphur, arsenic, etc. (called mineralizers).
A native metal or its compound with the rock in which it occurs, after it has been picked over to throw out what is worthless. (Mining)
Metal; as, the liquid ore. [R.]
Phrases & Compounds
Ore hearth
a low furnace in which rich lead ore is reduced; -- also called Scotch hearth.