noun
( plural treasure troves )
Etymology: Anglo-French tresor trové, literally, found treasure, from Old French tresor treasure + trové, past participle of trover to find, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin tropare — more at treasure , trouve re
1. : something in the nature of treasure that anyone finds ; specifically : gold or silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion which is found in the earth or otherwise hidden and the owner of which is not known
2. : a discovery or something discovered that is full of treasures : a valuable and productive source
natural gas and petroleum are veritable treasure troves of paraffin … and aromatic hydrocarbons — Science
the diary … is a treasure trove to the abnormal psychologist — V.L.Parrington