I. ˈstōp noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from Low German stope, literally, step (of a building), from Middle Low German stōpe — more at stoop
: a usually steplike excavation underground for the removal of ore that is formed as the ore is mined in successive layers — see bottom stope , overhand stope , rill stope , shrinkage stope
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to mine by means of a stope
transitive verb
: to extract (ore) from a stope