stockwork

noun

1

: a system of working in ore when it lies not in strata or veins but in solid masses so as to be worked in chambers or stories

2

: a body or tract of rock so charged with veinlets, nests, or impregnations of ore and especially tin ore that it can be profitably mined

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of German stockwerk, from stock stick, stump, trunk of a tree (from Old High German stoc) + werk work

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now