[stəʊp], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an excavation in a mine working or quarry in the form of a step or notch
(e.g: they haul the rock out of the stopes using buckets driven by small motorized winches)


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 18th century: apparently related to the noun step

[stəʊp], (Verb)

Definitions:
- (in mining) excavate a series of steps or layers in (the ground or rock)
(e.g: many thousands of tons of stone, richly laden with gold, are ready to be stoped)


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 18th century: apparently related to the noun step