Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
auriferous

auriferous

9.9
Rocks or soil that contain gold
  • adjective
  • /ɔːˈrɪfərəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : 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
6.1

Rock or soil that contains gold

is the formal technical adjective used in geology and older writing
auric
vsauriferous
  • Specialized
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
aurous
vsauriferous
  • Specialized
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

How Gold-rich

pure gold
6 2.7
auriferous
  • Specialized
9.9

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.