motherlode

See also: mother-lode and mother lode

English

From mother +‎ lode.

motherlode (plural motherlodes)

(literally) The main, central lode of a natural resource, near which smaller deposits of the same ore etc. exist.
Once the Western mining company has exploited a motherlode with state of the art equipment, it often abandons the minor lodes to primitive local enterprise
(figuratively) The main prize, best cut or pick etc. by far, dwarfing all others.
Luckily the philistine castle-burglars missed the motherlode: his lordship's historical memorabilia collection

main, central lode

main prize, etc.

Dutch: hoofdbrok (nl) m or n, hoofdprijs (nl) m, hoofdvogel (nl) m, leeuwendeel (nl) n

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