How Do You Spell MINERAL?

Pronunciation: [mˈɪnəɹə͡l] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "mineral" is interesting when pronounced in IPA phonetic transcription /ˈmɪnərəl/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by an unstressed "e" sound. The second syllable starts with a stressed "n" sound, followed by the "r" sound and a short "ə" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a like-sounding "a" vowel sound, then "l". Overall, the spelling and pronunciation of "mineral" don't follow typical English rules, making it important to learn its unique phonetic transcription.

MINERAL Meaning and Definition

  1. A mineral is a naturally occurring solid substance that is formed through geological processes and has a definite chemical composition and crystal structure. It typically exists in the Earth's crust, and some minerals can be found in abundance while others are very rare. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks, and they are composed of various chemical elements arranged in an ordered manner.

    One key characteristic of minerals is their inorganic nature, meaning they are not derived from living organisms. As a result, minerals differ from organic matter such as plants, animals, and fossil fuels. Minerals also possess physical properties that can be used for identification purposes, including hardness, cleavage, color, streak, and luster.

    Minerals have economic importance since they are valuable natural resources. They are utilized in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and technology. For example, minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica are essential in the production of glass and ceramics, while minerals such as iron, aluminum, and copper are extensively utilized in the manufacturing of machinery, vehicles, and electrical appliances.

    In addition to their economic value, minerals are also of interest to scientists and geologists who study their formation, properties, and distribution. Understanding minerals and their occurrences can provide insights into the history and composition of Earth's crust, as well as aid in the exploration and extraction of valuable mineral resources.

  2. Any homogeneous inorganic material found in the earth's crust.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • Any inorganic body which is found on the surface or within the earth; a rock or stone; a metal.
    • Of or relating to minerals; impregnated with minerals; formed in or dug out of the earth.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for MINERAL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MINERAL

Etymology of MINERAL

The word "mineral" originates from the Latin word "mineralis", which is derived from "minera", meaning mine or ore. This Latin term is believed to have been derived from the Celtic word "meini" or "mein" that also translates to mine or ore. Over time, the Latin term "mineralis" started being used in medieval times to refer to naturally occurring substances found in mines or underground. The modern usage of the word "mineral" as a classification for inorganic solid substances with a specific chemical composition and structure emerged around the 16th century.

Idioms with the word MINERAL

  • animal, vegetable, or mineral? The idiom "animal, vegetable, or mineral" refers to the three main categories of living organisms or substances. It is often used to describe something that cannot easily be categorized or identified.

Similar spelling words for MINERAL

Plural form of MINERAL is MINERALS

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