mineral

¹

[ min-er-uhl, min-ruhl ]

noun

1. any of a class of substances occurring in nature, usually comprising inorganic substances, as quartz or feldspar, of definite chemical composition and usually of definite crystal structure, but sometimes also including rocks formed by these substances as well as certain natural products of organic origin, as asphalt or coal.
2. a substance obtained by mining, as ore.
3. (loosely) any substance that is neither animal nor vegetable.
4. minerals, British. mineral water.
5. Nutrition. any of the inorganic elements, as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, or sodium, that are essential to the functioning of the human body and are obtained from foods.

adjective

1. of the nature of a mineral; pertaining to a mineral or minerals.
2. containing or impregnated with a mineral or minerals.
3. neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic:

   mineral matter.

mineral.

²

abbreviation for

1. mineralogical.
2. mineralogy.

mineral.

¹

abbreviation for

1. mineralogy or mineralogical

mineral

²

/ ˈmɪnərəl; ˈmɪnrəl /

noun

1. any of a class of naturally occurring solid inorganic substances with a characteristic crystalline form and a homogeneous chemical composition
2. any inorganic matter
3. any substance obtained by mining, esp a metal ore
4. often plural short for mineral water
5. a soft drink containing carbonated water and flavourings Usual US wordsoda

adjective

1. of, relating to, containing, or resembling minerals

mineral

/ mĭn′ər-əl /

1. A naturally occurring, solid, inorganic element or compound having a uniform composition and a regularly repeating internal structure. Minerals typically have a characteristic hardness and color, or range of colors, by which they can be recognized. Rocks are made up of minerals.
2. A natural substance of commercial value, such as iron ore, coal, or petroleum, that is obtained by mining, quarrying, or drilling.

mineral

1. In geology , a naturally occurring inorganic substance ( see inorganic molecules ) with a definite chemical composition and a regular internal structure.

Notes

Rocks are aggregates of minerals.

Most minerals are crystals , like salt and diamonds.

Other Words From

• non·miner·al noun adjective
• semi·miner·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mineral¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, Old French mineral, from Medieval Latin minerāle (noun), minerālis (adjective), from miner(a) “mine, ore,” (from Vulgar Latin mināria (unrecorded); equivalent to mine ² + -ary ) + -āle, -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mineral¹

C15: from Medieval Latin minerāle (n), from minerālis (adj); related to minera mine, ore, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Talc is a mineral that is sometimes used in talcum powders and other cosmetic products, according to Cancer Research UK.

From BBC

"While the lava tubes on Lanzarote were discovered several years ago, we are the first to complete such a detailed study of minerals and microorganisms," Onac said.

From Science Daily

Echoing an ongoing U.S. mineral survey called the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, SinoProbe II aims to chart ore formations and fossil fuel basins as deep as 3 kilometers and develop extraction technologies.

From Science Magazine

Fluoride - a naturally occurring mineral recognised to protect teeth against decay - is added to water supplies in many countries, including the US, where around 63% of the population have fluoridated water.

From BBC

"This could also apply to new terrain that forms after earthquakes or landslides where you have more or less the same situation, a mineral or rock-based substrate."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• golden
• silvery