placer1
/ˈpleɪsə
/noun [often as modifier]
A deposit of sand or gravel in the bed of a river or lake, containing particles of valuable minerals: placer gold deposits...
- For example, about 80 percent of the world's tin deposits occur as unconsolidated placer deposits in riverbeds and on the seafloor.
- Erosion of the rocks around the dikes created Arizona's richest placer deposits, and the site of Arizona's greatest gold rush.
- Because of their resistance to weathering, they accumulate on shale slopes and sometimes form small placer deposits in stream beds.
Origin
Early 19th century: from Latin American Spanish, literally 'deposit, shoal'; related to placel 'sandbank', from plaza 'a place'.
Rhymes
placer2
/ˈpleɪsə/noun
1 [with modifier] A person or animal gaining a specified position in a competition or race: last year’s fifth placer had a good run...
- The first placers of this race received instant 1000 baht prize money and were very happy for their first piece of luck in the races.
- The Wicklow placer raced into a 7-nil lead, but the young Moone player got more into the game and was soon on level terms with some great service and passing shots.
- Before the finals they organized a betting pool on who the top two placers would be.
2A person who positions, sets, or arranges something: he was a shrewd placer of the ball...
- He had a strong, consistent serve, he was an accurate placer of the ball, and could lob and volley with equal panache.
- One could be a shooter, one could be a back-up shooter in case the shooter's balls go, and a placer as well as a back-up shooter.
- Personals placers aren't exactly defying defined cultural roles; most women wrote ads seeking economic security, while men sought younger, attractive partners.
2.1A person who puts the material ready for firing in a pottery kiln.Telling tales about working as a pottery placer at Gladstone Pottery Museum during Victorian times, he has been entertaining audiences of all ages.
3British informal A dealer in stolen goods.