mineral

[min-er-uh l, min-ruh l] /ˈmɪn ər əl, ˈmɪn rəl/
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
6.
of the nature of a mineral; pertaining to a mineral or minerals.
7.
containing or impregnated with a mineral or minerals.
8.
neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic:
mineral matter.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English < Middle French, Old French mineral < Medieval Latin minerāle (noun), minerālis (adj.), equivalent to miner(a) mine, ore (< Old French miniere < Vulgar Latin *mināria; min- (see mine2) + Latin -āria -ary) + -āle, -ālis -al1
Related forms
nonmineral, noun, adjective
semimineral, adjective

mineral.

1.
mineralogical.
2.
mineralogy.
Examples from the web for mineral
  • mineral riches provide governments with cash but do not create many jobs.
  • The mineral could provide a crucial oxygen source for future manned lunar missions.
  • Mantle tissue that is located under and in contact with the shell secretes proteins and mineral extracellularly to form the shell.
  • See a simulated underground mining tunnel, rock and mineral displays.
  • Balanced and lively, with earthy mineral and floral aromas and flavors.
  • The early environmental movement worried that the mineral resources on which modern industry depends would run out.
  • Rubies, valued as precious gems, are the mineral corundum in its red form.
  • It is the ongoing act of describing that differentiates our organic nature from that of the simply mineral.
  • mineral pools on the lake are purported to have healing properties because of their high sulphur content.
  • The body makes it by growing tiny mineral crystals in a highly regular crystal lattice.
British Dictionary definitions for mineral

mineral

/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 pl) (Brit) short for mineral water
5.
(Brit) a soft drink containing carbonated water and flavourings Usual US word soda
adjective
6.
of, relating to, containing, or resembling minerals
Word Origin
C15: from Medieval Latin minerāle (n), from minerālis (adj); related to minera mine, ore, of uncertain origin

mineral.

abbreviation
1.
mineralogy or mineralogical
Word Origin and History for mineral
n.

late 14c., "substance obtained by mining," from Medieval Latin minerale "something mined," noun use of neuter of mineralis "pertaining to mines," from minera "mine." Meaning "material substance that is neither animal nor vegetable" is first recorded c.1600. Modern scientific sense is from 1813.

adj.

early 15c., "neither animal nor vegetable," from Old French mineral and directly from Medieval Latin mineralis (see mineral (n.)). Mineral water (early 15c.) originally was water found in nature with some mineral substance dissolved in it.

mineral in Medicine

mineral min·er·al (mĭn'ər-əl)
n.

  1. A naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness.

  2. An inorganic element, such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, or zinc, that is essential to the nutrition of humans, animals, and plants.

mineral in Science
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 in Culture

mineral definition


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

Note: Most minerals are crystals, like salt and diamonds.
Note: Rocks are aggregates of minerals.