gossan Mining.
(ˈgɒzən)
Also goz(z)an, gozzen.
[Belongs to the dialect of Cornwall, but no Celtic etymon has been found.]
Decomposed rock, of a reddish or ferruginous colour (due to oxidized iron pyrites), forming a part of the ‘outcrop’ of a metallic vein.
| 1776 Pryce Min. Cornub. 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. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 132 Brown Tungsten, Gossan of the Cornish mines. 1808 Polwhele Corn.-Eng. Gloss., Gozan, rust; iron ochre. 1851 Richardson Geol. i. 7 Veins of copper are usually found in connexion with an earthy, ochreous stone locally termed gossan. 1854 Murchison Siluria xvii. 434 There [in North Devon] the matrix or gossan of the lode [of copper ore] is suffused by particles of gold. 1880 W. Cornw. Gloss., Gossan, yellow earth just above a vein of metal. |
b. transf. (See quot.) dial.
| 1880 W. Cornw. Gloss., Gossan, an old wig grown yellow from age and wear. 1891 ‘Q.’ (Quiller-Couch) 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. |
Hence gossaˈniferous a., producing gossan.
| 1864 in Webster (citing Dana). Hence in later Dicts. |