Noun

(en noun)

(geology) Any naturally occurring inorganic material that has a (more or less) definite chemical composition and characteristic physical properties.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2012-03

, author=Lee A. Groat , title=Gemstones , volume=100, issue=2, page=128 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.}}

Any inorganic material (as distinguished from animal or vegetable).

Any inorganic element that is essential to nutrition; a dietary mineral.

(British) Mineral water.

(Ireland, South Africa, informal) A soft drink, particularly a single serve bottle or can.

(obsolete) A mine or mineral .

* 1599 , , IV. i. 26:

O'er whom his very madness, like some ore / Among a mineral of metals base, / Shows itself pure;