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gossan

noun

gos·​san ˈgä-sᵊn How to pronounce gossan (audio)
: decomposed rock or vein material of reddish or rusty color that results from oxidized pyrites

Word History

Etymology

Cornish gossen, from gōs blood

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gossan was in 1776

Rhymes for gossan

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Browse Nearby Words

gossamery
gossan
Gosse
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Cite this Entry

“Gossan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gossan. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gossan

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gossan

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