stope

Stope, n. Etym: [Cf. Step, n. & v. i.] (Mining) Defn: A horizontal working forming one of a series, the working faces of which present the appearance of a flight of steps. Stope, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stoped; p. pr. & vb. n. Stoping.] (Mining) (a) To excavate in the form of stopes. (b) To fill in with rubbish, as a space from which the ore has been worked out. Stope, Sto"pen, p. p. of Step. Defn: Stepped; gone; advanced. [Obs.] A poor widow, somedeal stope in age. Chaucer.

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