verb
prospect
To search an area for valuable natural resources.
The geologists prospect for copper in the rocky hills.
Etymology
The outward-looking image developed into looking ahead for possibilities. In mining, prospecting applies that search to signs of useful minerals or other resources.
More examples
- They prospected along the river for gold.
- A small team is prospecting in the northern valley.
- He had prospected there for several seasons.
Forms
prospect · prospects · prospected · prospecting