met·al·lif·er·ous \|med.əl|if(ə)rəs, -etəl-\adjective Etymology: Latin metallifer metalliferous (from metalli- metal — from metallum — + -fer -ferous) + English -ous : yielding or containing metal < metalliferous veins > < metalliferous deposits > < a metalliferous compound whose very existence is still a geological enigma — J.D.Hillaby >