n.
Pronunciation: ' o ̇ r
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English or, oor, partly from Old English ō ra ore; partly from Old English ā r brass; akin to Old High German ē r bronze, Latin aes copper, bronze
Date: before 12th century
1 : a naturally occurring mineral containing a valuable constituent (as metal) for which it is mined and worked
2 : a source from which valuable matter is extracted