MIN'ERAL, noun [Low Latin minera, a matrix or vein of metals, whence mineralia; all from mine.] A body destitute of organization, and which naturally exists within the earth or at its surface. Minerals were formerly divided into salts, earths, inflammables and ores; a division which serves for a general distribution, but a more scientific arrangement into classes, orders, genera, species, subspecies and varieties, has been adopted to meet the more precise views of modern mineralogists. MIN'ERAL, adjective Pertaining to minerals; consisting of fossil substances; as the mineral kingdom. 1. Impregnated with minerals or fossil matter; as mineral waters; a mineral spring.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI