■ noun
1》 a solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence.
↘a substance obtained by mining.
↘an inorganic substance needed by the human body for good health.
2》 ( ~s ) Brit. effervescent soft drinks.
■ adjective of or denoting a ~.
Origin
ME: from med. L. ~e , neut. (used asnoun) of ~is , from minera 'ore'.