I. ˈplāsə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: place (II) + -er
: one that places: as
a. : one that deposits or arranges
bookbinder's placer
enamel kiln placer
b. : one of the winners in a competition
fifth placer in the … Miss America competition — Time
II. ˈplasə(r), -laas- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Spanish, from Catalan, submarine plain, from plaza place, from Latin platea broad street — more at place
: an alluvial, lacustrine, marine, eolian, or glacial deposit (as of sand or gravel) containing particles of gold or other valuable mineral — compare lode
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to extract (minerals) from sand or gravel by washing
intransitive verb
: to work at placer mining