minerals
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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:
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. Chiefly British
a. minerals Mineral water.
b. A soft drink.
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.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
minerals
- douse, dowse - Douse first meant "knock, punch, strike" and now means "to extinguish or wet thoroughly"; dowse means to look for water or minerals with a divining rod.
- hard water - That which contains large amounts of minerals.
- mica - Any of a group of minerals that occur in small glittering plates or scales in other rocks.
- micronutrient - One of the vitamins and minerals needed only in small amounts for normal body function.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
minerals
Inorganic substances present in many foods. Very small quantities of minerals are needed to help maintain growth and health.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited