arrastra Definition
a primitive mill for grinding and pulverizing gold or silver ore, consisting of a circular stone dragged by a mule or other animal in a trough.
Using arrastra: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "arrastra" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The arrastra was used by early miners to extract gold from ore.
Example
The arrastra was a common sight in mining camps during the California Gold Rush.
Example
The arrastra was eventually replaced by more efficient machinery.
Origins of arrastra
from Spanish 'arrastrar', meaning 'to drag'
Summary: arrastra in Brief
An 'arrastra' [uh-ras-truh] is a primitive mill used for grinding and pulverizing gold or silver ore. It consists of a circular stone dragged by a mule or other animal in a trough. The arrastra was commonly used by early miners to extract gold from ore and was eventually replaced by more efficient machinery.
