mineralize

American  

[min-er-uh-lahyz, min-ruh-] / ˈmɪn ər əˌlaɪz, ˈmɪn rə- /

especially British, mineralise

verb (used with object)

mineralized, mineralizing

1. to convert into a mineral substance.

2. to transform (a metal) into an ore.

3. to impregnate or supply with mineral substances.

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verb (used without object)

mineralized, mineralizing

1. to study or collect the minerals of a region.

mineralize British  

/ ˈmɪnərəˌlaɪz, ˈmɪnrə- /

verb

1. 1. to impregnate (organic matter, water, etc) with a mineral substance

   2. to convert (such matter) into a mineral; petrify

2. (of gases, vapours, etc, in magma) to transform (a metal) into an ore

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Other Word Forms

• mineralization noun
• mineralizer noun
• remineralization noun
• remineralize verb
• remineralizer noun
• semimineralized adjective
• undermineralization noun
• unmineralized adjective

Etymology

Origin of mineralize

First recorded in 1645–55; mineral + -ize

Example Sentences

And the company says there is potentially more: The current resource spans three kilometers of an estimated eight-kilometer mineralized gold belt.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her mineralized vertebra of a juvenile Jurassic ichthyosaur exudes: “Now I am a treasure for you to love—a part of me to call your own.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“In addition, a new mineralized structure has been discovered west of Waihi’s Golden Pole lode further highlighting the exploration upside, opening up another promising zone for follow-up drilling, and potential resource growth,” Euroz Hartleys says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Five vertebrae have been recovered, each partly mineralized, which helped preserve them.

From Science Daily

Keratin creates a dense, mineralized barrier over the tooth's surface, blocking the nerve channels responsible for sensitivity.

From Science Daily