/stohp/ , n. , v. , stoped, stoping .
n.
1. any excavation made in a mine, esp. from a steeply inclined vein, to remove the ore that has been rendered accessible by the shafts and drifts.
v.i. , v.t.
2. to mine or work by stopes.
[ 1740-50; appar. stope; see STOOP 2 ]