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| min·er·al [ mínnərəl ] (plural min·er·als) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. inorganic substance in nature: a substance that occurs naturally in rocks and in the ground and has its own characteristic appearance and chemical composition
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2. mined substance: a naturally occurring substance that is mined or extracted from the ground
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3. matter not animal or vegetable: something that is not made of animal or vegetable matter
(
not in technical use
)
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4. inorganic nutritive substance: an inorganic substance that must be ingested by animals or plants in order to remain healthy
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| [15th century. < medieval Latin minerale< Old French miniere "mine" < mine (see mine1)] |
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  min·er·al adjective |
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