1738 G. Smith tr. iv. 103 The Miners find sometimes a Matter in the Iron Mines, which they call Liver Oar.
1836 T. Thomson I. 635 What is called liver ore, is merely a compact variety, slightly mixed with foreign matter.
1854 J. D. Dana (ed. 4) II. vi. 49 The hepatic cinnabar or liver ore is an impure variety, sometimes affording a brownish streak.