mineralize

[ min-er-uh-lahyz, min-ruh- ]
See synonyms for mineralize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),min·er·al·ized, min·er·al·iz·ing.
  1. to convert into a mineral substance.

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

  1. to impregnate or supply with mineral substances.

verb (used without object),min·er·al·ized, min·er·al·iz·ing.
  1. to study or collect the minerals of a region.

Origin of mineralize

1
First recorded in 1645–55; mineral + -ize
  • Also especially British, min·er·al·ise .

Other words from mineralize

  • min·er·al·i·za·tion, noun
  • min·er·al·iz·er, noun
  • re·min·er·al·i·za·tion, noun
  • re·min·er·al·ize, verb, re·min·er·al·ized, re·min·er·al·iz·ing.
  • re·min·er·al·iz·er, noun
  • sem·i·min·er·al·ized, adjective
  • un·der·min·er·al·i·za·tion, noun
  • un·min·er·al·ized, adjective

Words Nearby mineralize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for mineralize

mineralize

mineralise

/ (ˈmɪnərəˌlaɪz, ˈmɪnrə-) /


verb(tr)
    • to impregnate (organic matter, water, etc) with a mineral substance

    • to convert (such matter) into a mineral; petrify

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

Derived forms of mineralize

  • mineralization or mineralisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012