▪ I. shammel, n. Mining.
(ˈʃæm(ə)l)
See also shamble n.1 6.
[Dialect form of shamble n.1]
(See quots.)
| 1778 Pryce Min. Cornub. 142 The Miners prefer a Shammel, which is a stage of boards, for the more light and easy use of their shovels. 1855 Leifchild Cornwall 201 The product was raised by being thrown upon successive platforms (called shammels). 1880 D. C. Davies Metallif. Min. 420 Shammel, a stage for shovelling ore upon, or for raising water. |
| attrib. 1803 Polwhele Hist. Cornw. I. 175 The shammel-working indeed, which appears in several places between Bovey and Dartmoor,..may be considered as relics of the Romans. Ibid. III. 9 In the mean time the shammel-works must, I think, have been almost superseded by shafts. |
Hence ˈshammel v. intr., to work a mine by the use of a series of ‘shammels’.
| 1778 Pryce Min. Cornub. 142 The custom of Shammeling both above and under-ground at this time. 1860 Eng. & For. Mining Gloss. (ed. 2) Cornw. 22 Shammel, when ore or water is lifted part of the required height by one machine or person and part by another. |
▪ II. shammel
obs. form of shamble n.1