gossann.
/ˈɡɒzən/ Mining.
a. Decomposed rock, of a reddish or ferruginous colour (due to oxidized iron pyrites), forming a part of the ‘outcrop’ of a metallic vein.
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the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > outcrop of vein or stratum
crop1686
gossan1778
iron hat1811
blossom1819
iron cap1823
blossom-rock1871
tailings1881
top-crop1889
1778 W. Pryce Mineralogia Cornubiensis i. iii. 44 Other crude Minerals of no esteem, are those of a ferruginous quality, which the Miners distinguish by the names of Gossan, Cal (more properly Gal), Cockle, &c. Our Gossan Lodes often produce Tin at a shallow level in tolerable plenty..These Gossans or Ochres, are commonly called the Feeders of their respective Metals.
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 132 Brown Tungsten, Gossan of the Cornish mines.
1808 R. Polwhele Cornish-Eng. Vocab. Gozan, rust; iron ochre.
1851 T. Wright & G. F. Richardson Introd. Geol. (new ed.) i. 7 Veins of copper are usually found in connexion with an earthy, ochreous stone locally termed gossan.
1854 R. I. Murchison Siluria xvii. 434 There [i.e. in North Devon] the matrix or gossan of the lode [of copper ore] is suffused by particles of gold.
1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall Gossan, yellow earth just above a vein of metal.
b. transferred. (See quot.) dialect.
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1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall Gossan, an old wig grown yellow from age and wear.
1891 ‘Q’ Noughts & Crosses 36 It was a ‘gossan’ wig, as we call it in our parts; a wig grown yellow and rusty with age and wear.
Derivatives
gossaˈniferous adj. producing gossan.
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1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. (citing Dana). Hence in later Dicts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1778