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mineral Definition

min·eral (min′ər əl, min′rəl)

noun

  1. an inorganic substance occurring naturally in the earth and having a consistent and distinctive set of physical properties (e.g., a usually crystalline structure, hardness, color, etc.) and a composition that can be expressed by a chemical formula: sometimes applied to substances in the earth of organic origin, such as coal
  2. ore
  3. any substance that is neither vegetable nor animal
  4. any element or inorganic compound needed by plants and animals for proper growth and functioning, as iron, phosphorus, or nitrate
  5. Brit.
    1. mineral water
    2. a flavored, carbonated soft drink

Etymology: OFr < ML minerale, neut. of mineralis, mineral < minera, ore < VL *mina, mine

adjective

of, like, consisting of, or containing a mineral or minerals

mineral Synonyms

mineral

modif.

geologic, rock, metallurgic; see metallic 1.

mineral Synonyms

mineral

n.

inorganic material, earth's crust, geologic formation, geologic rock, rock deposit, country rock, ore deposit, gangue, igneous rock, metamorphic rock, morphologic rock, magma, petroleums, crystal; see also metal, ore.

Common minerals include: quartz, feldspar, mica, hornblende, pyroxene, olivine, calcite, dolomite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, barite, garnet, diopside, gypsum, staurolite, tourmaline, obsidian, malachite, azurite, limonite, galena, aragonite, magnetite, ilmenite, serpentine, epidote, fluorite, cinnabar, talc, bauxite, corundum, cryolite, spinel, sheelite, wolframite, graphite, diatomite, pitchblende.

mineral Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • chelate: Is this practice of chelating minerals really to our benefit or a dangerous act of ignorance?
  • dissolve: Vinegar is the best menstruum for dissolving minerals out of plants.
  • trace: Some examples are vitamin E, vitamin C and trace minerals.
  • occur: Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which can be found in a wide variety of bedrock, usually only in tiny quantities.
  • vest: Working or disposal of mines and minerals vested in the Ministry Power of Ministry to work mines and minerals.

Adjective modifier

  • abundant: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body.
  • fibrous: A mineral compound, asbestos is the common name for a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals found in certain rock formations.
  • iron-rich: The rocks of this period are characteristically red in color due to the oxidation of iron-rich minerals in the sediments under the arid conditions.

Modifies a noun

  • extraction: There are a few disused mineral extraction sites adjacent to the railroad line.
  • density: The bone mineral density changes were compared with a control group of 15 untreated women.
  • supplement: There are several situations where vitamin or mineral supplements are recommended.
  • wool: Mineral wool is the most common type of cavity wall insulation.
  • exploration: There is excellent mineral exploration potential adjacent to the already identified resources.
  • deposit: Did valuable mineral deposits belong to Moscow or the locality?

Noun used with modifier

  • silicate: Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous silicate mineral.
  • bone: The bone mineral density changes were compared with a control group of 15 untreated women.
  • sulfide: Most economic deposits of non-ferrous metals occur as sulfide minerals e.g. galena, PbS; sphalerite, ZnS; chalcopyrite, CuFeS 2.
  • clay: K Kaolin group of pale colored clay minerals.
  • carbonate: Heavy CO 2 saturated water descends through lighter formation water and carbonate minerals gradually precipitate driven by ionic equilibrium.
  • trace: Zinc is an essential trace mineral, important to help support the immune system.