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mineral

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min⋅er⋅al

  [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
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.
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Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < MF, OF mineral < ML minerāle (n.), minerālis (adj.), equiv. to miner(a) mine, ore (< OF miniere < VL *mināria; min- (see mine 2 ) + L -āria -ary ) + -āle, -ālis -al 1
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mineral.

 
1. mineralogical.
2. mineralogy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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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. Any of various natural substances, as:

    1. An element, such as gold or silver.

    2. An organic derivative, such as coal or petroleum.

    3. A substance, such as stone, sand, salt, or coal, that is extracted or obtained from the ground or water and used in economic activities.

  3. A substance that is neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic matter.

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

  5. An ore.

  6. minerals Chiefly British Mineral water.

adj.  

  1. Of or relating to minerals: a mineral deposit.

  2. Impregnated with minerals.


[Middle English, from Medieval Latin minerāle, from neuter of minerālis, pertaining to mines, from Old French miniere, mine, from mine; see mine1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

mineral

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.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

mineral 
1390, "substance obtained by mining," from M.L. minerale "something mined," from neut. of mineralis "pertaining to mines," from minera "mine." Meaning "material substance that is neither animal nor vegetable" is first recorded 1602. Modern scientific sense is from 1813. Mineral water is from 1562, originally water found in nature with some mineral substance dissolved in it.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1min·er·al
Pronunciation: 'min(-&)-r&l
Function: noun
: a solid homogeneous crystalline chemical element orcompound that results from the inorganic processes of nature

Main Entry: 2mineral
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to minerals; also : INORGANIC
2 : impregnated with mineral substances
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
mineral   (mĭn'ər-əl)  Pronunciation Key 

  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.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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