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mineral

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
min·er·al  (mnr-l)
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:
a. An element, such as gold or silver.
b. An organic derivative, such as coal or petroleum.
c. 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 minerle, from neuter of minerlis, pertaining to mines, from Old French miniere, mine, from mine; see mine1.]

mineral [ˈmɪnərəl ˈmɪnrəl]
n
1. (Earth Sciences / Minerals) 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. (Mining & Quarrying) any substance obtained by mining, esp a metal ore
4. (Cookery) (often plural) Brit short for mineral water
5. (Cookery) Brit a soft drink containing carbonated water and flavourings Usual US word soda
adj
(Earth Sciences / Minerals) of, relating to, containing, or resembling minerals
[from Medieval Latin minerāle (n), from minerālis (adj); related to minera mine, ore, of uncertain origin]

mineral  (mnr-l)
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


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It is, in fact, one of the mineral magazines which nature has provided in the heart of this vast realm of fertility, and which, in connection with the immense beds of coal on the same river, seem garnered up as the elements of the future wealth and power of the mighty West.
They drank--that is, Nathaniel Letton took mineral water served by the smoothly operating machine of a lackey who inhabited the place, while Dowsett took Scotch and soda and Daylight a cocktail.
In the course of the day he arrived at the plain of white clay, already mentioned, surrounded by the mineral springs, called Beer Springs, by the trappers.
 
 
 
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