From Medieval Latin minerale, something from a mine, probably tracing back to a Celtic word for ore
A naturally occurring inorganic solid with a defined chemical composition and crystal structure
From Medieval Latin 'minerale' meaning something obtained from a mine, from 'minera' (mine, ore), probably of Celtic origin through Old French 'miniere' (mine). The Celtic root may be related to Welsh 'mwyn' (ore) or Irish 'mein' (ore, metal). The word entered English through Anglo-French in the 15th century, initially referring to any substance dug from the earth. The modern scientific definition narrowed the term considerably. Key roots: minera (Medieval Latin: "mine, ore deposit
The word mine (as in a place where minerals are extracted) and the word mine (as in belonging to me) are completely unrelated. The possessive mine comes from Old English min, a Germanic word. The excavation mine comes from Celtic through French. Their identical spelling in modern English is pure coincidence.