PAY DIRT • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Pay dirt

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/peɪ dərt/ Listen

noun

Pay n.

Satisfaction; content.

An equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or services performed; salary or wages for work or service; compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a clerk; the pay of a soldier. "Where only merit constant pay receives." "There is neither pay nor plunder to be got."

Full pay, the whole amount of wages or salary; maximum pay; especially, the highest pay or allowance to civil or military officers of a certain rank, without deductions.

Half pay. See under Half.

Pay day, the day of settlement of accounts.

Pay dirt (Mining), earth which yields a profit to the miner. (Western U.S.)

Pay office, a place where payment is made.

Pay roll,

(a)

a roll or list of persons entitled to payment, with the amounts due; now usually one word, payroll.

(b)

the total sum of money which is paid to all employees on payday.

Pay rock, Pay dirt n.

(Mining) Earth, rock, etc., which yields a profit to the miner. (Western U. S.)

A discovery, especially after an exploratory process, which yields a profit or sought-after benefit; used especially in the phrase "to hit pay dirt".

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Etymology of 'Pay dirt'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Pay dirt" Quotes from Famous Books

... common, property insecure, and safe deposit vaults were scarce, it was common for men to bury treasure in time of trouble and to forget it when they were dead. Whoever accidentally found it "struck pay dirt" and hastened to locate his claim. An extraordinary jewel, too, was a bonanza. The infant capitalists of that day were wise enough to liquidate their other holdings and invest everything in the main chance. Jesus calls ...

— The Social Principles of Jesus • Walter Rauschenbusch