mine
mine (mīn)
pronoun
Etymology: ME min < OE, gen. sing of ic, I, akin to Ger mein: for base see me
possessive pronominal adjective
mine (mīn)
noun
- a large excavation made in the earth, from which to extract metallic ores, coal, precious stones, salt, or certain other minerals
- the surface buildings, shafts, elevators, etc. of such an excavation
- a deposit of ore, coal, etc.
- any great source of supply a mine of information
- a kind of fireworks device that explodes in the air and scatters a number of smaller fireworks
- Mil.
- a tunnel dug under an enemy's trench, fort, etc., esp. one in which an explosive is placed to destroy the enemy or its fortifications
- an explosive charge in a container, buried in the ground for destroying enemy troops or vehicles on land, or placed in the sea for destroying enemy ships
- Zool. the burrow of an insect, esp. of a leaf miner
Etymology: ME < MFr < VL *mina < Celt, as in Ir mein, Welsh mwyn, vein of metal
intransitive verb mined, mining min′·ing
- to dig ores, coal, etc. from the earth
- to dig or lay military mines
Etymology: ME minen < OFr miner
transitive verb
- to dig in (the earth) for ores, coal, etc.
- to dig or remove (ores, coal, etc.) from the earth
- to take from (a source)
- to dig a tunnel under (an enemy installation)
- to place explosive mines in or under
- to make hollows under the surface of leaves mined by larvae
- to undermine or ruin slowly by secret methods, plotting, etc.
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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