χρυσοχοέω

A. follow the trade of goldsmith, Ar. Pl. 164, X. Oec. 18.9.

II. smelt ore in order to extract gold from it: hence prov. of those who fail in any speculation, as the Athenians in their attempts to extract gold from their silver-ores, Pl. R. 450b, cf. Din. Fr. 6.13, Harp.