Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Nearby Entries

minerals

- 4 dictionary results

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.

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
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.]

minerals

In the diet, certain substances necessary for the maintenance of life and good health. Some are essential components of bodily substances, such as the calcium in bones and the iron in hemoglobin, whereas others help regulate the activities of metabolism. (See under “Earth Sciences.”)

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.

Search another word or see minerals on Thesaurus | Reference
>