Standard Lemma guide

metalliferous

adj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • rhymes with -ɪfəɹəs

1

adj

Meaning 1

Containing a metallic element. Often used to describe ores that are mined commercially.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: engineering, metallurgy, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

Examples

  • Cassiterite is a metalliferous ore containing tin.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek μέτᾰλλον (métăllon)der. Latin metallum Old French metalbor. Middle English metal English metal Proto-Indo-European *bher- Proto-Indo-European *bhéreti Proto-Italic *ferō Latin ferō Proto-Indo-European *h3ed- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h3édosder.? Proto-Italic *-ŏ̄dsos? Old Latin -ōssus Latin -ōsus Old French -usbor. Middle English -ous English -ous English -iferous English metalliferous From metal + -iferous.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: métallifère — containing a metallic element
  • Italian: metallifero — containing a metallic element
  • Manx: meainagh — containing a metallic element
  • Polish: kruszcodajny — containing a metallic element
  • Polish: kruszconośny — containing a metallic element
  • Turkish: metalli — containing a metallic element