auriferous

1 9.9

Rocks or soil that contain gold

adjective
/ɔːˈrɪfərəs/

Specialized

: aurífero

The geologist identified several auriferous rock samples during the survey.

Examples

Mining companies are interested in areas known for their auriferous quartz veins.
The geologists analyzed the rocks and found them to be auriferous, indicating the presence of gold.
Prospectors are often drawn to regions with auriferous deposits in the soil.
The auriferous soil yielded a rich harvest of gold.
Many miners seek auriferous deposits in the mountains.
The miner was thrilled to discover an auriferous vein during his excavation.
Certain riverbeds are known for being auriferous, attracting prospectors seeking gold.

Synonyms

gold-bearing

vsauriferous

1 6.1

Rock or soil that contains gold

is the formal technical adjective used in geology and older writing

aurous

vsauriferous

Specialized

1 9.9

Containing gold in a chemical form with one positive charge

describes simple presence of gold in rocks or soil rather than chemical oxidation

auric

vsauriferous

Specialized

1 9.9

Relating to gold or gold compounds where gold has three positive charges

describes simple presence of gold in rocks or soil rather than chemical state

How Gold-rich

pure gold

9 2.7

auriferous

Specialized

1 9.9

gold-bearing

1 6.1

Surface Forms

auriferous positive

Morphology

auriferous = auri + ferous

The word is historically built from a classical gold-related stem plus a meaning-bearing suffix, but that structure is not transparent to average English learners.

Etymology

Auriferous comes from the Latin aurum ('gold') and the part -ferous (from ferre, 'to carry'), so it means 'carrying gold'. That's why we use auriferous for rocks or soil that contain or 'bear' gold, in other words 'gold-bearing' ground.