Ore, n. [AS. ōra; cf. ār brass, bronze, akin to OHG. ēr, G. ehern brazen, Icel. eir brass, Goth. ais, L. aes, Skr. ayas iron. √210. Cf. Ora, Era.]
1. 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).
2. (Mining) 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.
3. Metal; as, the liquid ore. Milton.
Ore hearth, a low furnace in which rich lead ore is reduced; — also called Scotch hearth. Raymond.