The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Ore \Ore\, n. [AS. [=o]ra; cf. [=a]r brass, bronze, akin to OHG.
   [=e]r, G. ehern brazen, Icel. eir brass, Goth. ais, L. aes,
   Skr. ayas iron. [root]210. Cf. Ora, Era.]
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   1. The native form of a metal, whether free and uncombined,
      as gold, copper, etc., or combined, as iron, lead, etc.
      Usually the ores contain the metals combined with oxygen,
      sulphur, arsenic, etc. (called mineralizers).
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   2. (Mining) A native metal or its compound with the rock in
      which it occurs, after it has been picked over to throw
      out what is worthless.
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   3. Metal; as, the liquid ore. [R.] --Milton.
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   Ore hearth, a low furnace in which rich lead ore is
      reduced; -- also called Scotch hearth. --Raymond.
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