mineral

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin minerale, from neuter of mineralis Date: 15th century 1. ore 2. an inorganic substance (as in the ash of calcined tissue) 3. obsolete mine 4. something neither animal nor vegetable 5. a. a solid homogeneous crystalline chemical element or compound that results from the inorganic processes of nature; broadly any of various naturally occurring homogeneous substances (as stone, coal, salt, sulfur, sand, petroleum, water, or natural gas) obtained usually from the ground b. a synthetic substance having the chemical composition and crystalline form and properties of a naturally occurring mineral 6. plural, British mineral water II. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin mineralis, from minera mine, ore, from Old French minere, miniere, from mine Date: 15th century 1. of or relating to minerals; also inorganic 2. impregnated with mineral substances