Mineral

[min-er-uh l, min-ruh l] /ˈmɪn ər əl, ˈmɪn rəl/

noun
1.
any of a class of substances occurring in nature, usually comprising inorganic substances, as quartz or feldspar, of definite chemical composition and usually of definite crystal structure, but sometimes also including rocks formed by these substances as well as certain natural products of organic origin, as asphalt or coal.
2.
a substance obtained by mining, as ore.
3.
(loosely) any substance that is neither animal nor vegetable.
4.
minerals, British. .
5.
Nutrition. any of the inorganic elements, as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, or sodium, that are essential to the functioning of the human body and are obtained from foods.
adjective
6.
of the nature of a mineral; pertaining to a mineral or minerals.
7.
containing or impregnated with a mineral or minerals.
8.
neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic:
mineral matter.
1.
.
2.
.
/ˈmɪnərəl; ˈmɪnrəl/
noun
1.
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.
any substance obtained by mining, esp a metal ore
4.
(often pl) (Brit) short for mineral water
5.
(Brit) a soft drink containing carbonated water and flavourings Usual US word soda
adjective
6.
of, relating to, containing, or resembling minerals
abbreviation
1.
mineralogy or mineralogical
n.

late 14c., “substance obtained by mining,” from Medieval Latin minerale “something mined,” noun use of neuter of mineralis “pertaining to mines,” from minera “mine.” Meaning “material substance that is neither animal nor vegetable” is first recorded c.1600. Modern scientific sense is from 1813.
adj.

early 15c., “neither animal nor vegetable,” from Old French mineral and directly from Medieval Latin mineralis (see mineral (n.)). Mineral water (early 15c.) originally was water found in nature with some mineral substance dissolved in it.

mineral min·er·al (mĭn’ər-əl)
n.

mineral
(mĭn’ər-əl)

In geology, a naturally occurring inorganic substance (see inorganic molecules) with a definite chemical composition and a regular internal structure.

Note: Most minerals are crystals, like salt and diamonds.

Note: Rocks are aggregates of minerals.