n. & v.
n. 1 an excavation in the earth for extracting metal, coal, salt, etc. 2 an abundant source (of information etc.). 3 a receptacle filled with explosive and placed in the ground or in the water for destroying enemy personnel, ships, etc. 4 a a subterranean gallery in which explosive is placed to blow up fortifications. b hist. a subterranean passage under the wall of a besieged fortress.
v.tr. 1 obtain (metal, coal, etc.) from a mine. 2 (also absol., often foll. by for) dig in (the earth etc.) for ore etc. 3 a dig or burrow in (usu. the earth). b make (a hole, passage, etc.) underground. 4 lay explosive mines under or in. 5 = UNDERMINE. mine-detector an instrument for detecting the presence of mines. mining n.
[ ME f. OF mine, miner, perh. f. Celt. ]