mother lodes
Main ore deposits
Mother lodes are principal veins or zones of ore in a mining region—the main source from which smaller deposits branch.
The term comes from California gold rush terminology.
Figuratively, a mother lode is any rich source or abundant supply: She struck the mother lode of vintage clothing at that estate sale.
The singular mother lode is more common.
- goldmineRich ore deposit
- bonanzaSudden large windfall
- strike it richSuddenly acquire great wealth
- pay dirtValuable ore deposit
- paydirtValuable find after effort
stores · abundance · source · repositories · treasure trove · buried treasure · deposit · wellspring · vein · ore · cornucopia · claims · rich vein · El Dorado · hoards · deep pockets · strata · caches
mother lodestraces
Slight remaining amounts
dry holes · dregs · pittances · scraps · dribs and drabs
mother lodesoffshoots
Things branching from source
tributaries · scatter · runoff
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