MINE, m[=i]n, _v.i._ and _v.t._ to dig for metals: to excavate: to dig
under a wall or building in order to overturn it: to ruin or destroy by
secret means.--_n._ a place from which metals are dug: an excavation dug
under a fortification to blow it up with gunpowder: a rich source of
wealth.--_ns._ MINE'-CAP'TAIN, the overseer of a mine; M[=I]'NER, one who
digs in a mine.--_adj._ M[=I]'NY, rich in mines: like a mine.--See also
SUBMARINE MINE. [Low L. _min[=a]re,_ to lead, open a mine.]
MINERAL, min'[.e]r-al, _n._ an inorganic substance found in the earth or at
its surface: any substance containing a metal.--_adj._ relating to
minerals: having the nature of minerals: impregnated with minerals, as
water: denoting inorganic substances.--_n._ MINERALIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._
MIN'ERALISE, to make into a mineral: to give the properties of a mineral
to: to impregnate with mineral matter.--_v.i._ to collect minerals.--_ns._
MIN'ERALISER, an element that combines with a metal to form an ore, as
sulphur: a volatile or other substance, as water, which facilitates the
recrystallisation of rocks; MIN'ERALIST, one versed in or employed about
minerals.--_adj._ MINERALOG'ICAL, pertaining to mineralogy.--_adv._
MINERALOG'ICALLY.--_v.i._ MINERAL'OGISE, to collect or study
minerals.--_ns._ MINERAL'OGIST, one versed in mineralogy; MINERAL'OGY, the
science which treats of minerals: the art of describing and classifying
minerals.--MINERAL ACIDS, a name applied to sulphuric, nitric, and
hydrochloric acids; MINERAL BLACK, an impure carbon used as a pigment;
MINERAL CAOUTCHOUC, a variety of bitumen--also _Elaterite_; MINERAL
KINGDOM, that department of nature which comprises substances that are
neither animal nor vegetable; MINERAL OIL, oil which is forced up or pumped
from the earth, as petroleum, naphtha, &c.; MINERAL SALT, a salt of a
mineral acid; MINERAL WATER, the water of certain springs having the taste
of various kinds of minerals, and used as medicines. [Fr.,--_miner_, to
mine--Low L. _min[=a]re;_ cf. _Mine._]
MINERVA, mi-n[.e]r'va, _n._ the Roman goddess of wisdom, of the arts and
sciences, and of war--identified with the Greek Athena.--MINERVA PRESS, a
printing-office in Leadenhall Street, London, whence were issued about the
close of the 18th century a long series of highly sentimental novels. [L.,
prob. from root of _mens_, _mentis_, the mind.]
MINEVER, min'e-v[.e]r, _n._ Same as MINIVER.
MING, ming, _v.t._ to mix:--old _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ meint, ment. [A.S.
_mengan;_ Ger. _mengen_.]
MINGLE, ming'gl, _v.t._ to mix: to unite into one mass: to confuse: to join
in mutual intercourse.--_v.i._ to become mixed or confused.--_n._ a
medley.--_n._ MING'LE-MANG'LE, a medley, jumble.--_v.t._ to confuse, jumble
together.--_ns._ MING'LEMENT; MING'LER; MING'LING, mixture: a mixing or
blending together.--_adv._ MING'LINGLY. [Freq. of _ming_.]
MINIATURE, min'i-a-t[=u]r, or min'i-t[=u]r, _n._ a painting on a very small
scale, on ivory, vellum, or thick paper: a small or reduced copy of
anything.--_adj._ on a small scale: minute.--_v.t._ to represent on a small
scale.--_n._ MIN'IATURIST, one who paints miniatures. [It.
_miniatura_--_miniare_, to write with red lead--L. _minium_, vermilion.]
MINIBUS, min'i-bus, _n._ a small four-wheeled carriage.
MINIÉ RIFLE. See Rifle.
MINIFY, min'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to make little or less: to depreciate.
MINIKIN, min'i-kin, _n._ a little darling: a small sort of pin: the treble
string of a lute.--_adj._ small. [Old Dut., dim. of _minne_, love, cog.
with Old High Ger. _minna_, memory, love.]
MINIM, min'im, _n._ (_med._) the smallest liquid measure, a drop, 1/60
drachm: (_mus._) a note (formerly the shortest) equal to two crotchets:
(_Milt._) a diminutive creature: one of an austere order of mendicant
friars founded about the middle of the 15th century by St Francis of Paola
in Calabria (1416-1507)--called Minims (L. _minimi_, the least) to humble
them even below the Franciscans (_Friars minor_).--_adj._ MIN'IMAL.--_v.t._
MIN'IMISE, to reduce to the smallest possible proportions: to treat
slightingly.--_ns._ MINIM'ITUDE, MINIMIS[=A]'TION; MIN'IMUM, the least
quantity or degree possible--opp. of _Maximum_: a trifle:--_pl._ MIN'IMA;
MIN'IMUS (_Shak._), a being of the smallest size.--MINIMUM and MAXIMUM
THERMOMETER (see THERMOMETER). [Fr. _minime_--L. _minimus_, _minima_, the
smallest.]
MINIMENT, min'i-ment, _n._ obsolete form of _muniment_.
MINING, m[=i]'ning, _n._ the art of forming or of working mines: the work
of a miner.--_adj._ of or pertaining to mines: of burrowing habits.
MINION, min'yun, _n._ a darling, a favourite, esp. of a prince: a
flatterer: a fawning favourite: (_print._) a small kind of type, about 10½
lines to the inch, between nonpareil and brevier. [Fr. _mignon_, a
darling--Old High Ger. _minna_, _minne_, love.]
MINISH, min'ish, _v.t._ (_B._) to make little or less: to diminish. [Fr.
_menuiser_, to cut small, said of a carpenter--L. _minutia_, smallness.]
MINISTER, min'is-t[.e]r, _n._ a servant: one who serves at the altar: a
clergyman: one transacting business for another: the responsible head of a
department of state affairs: the representative of a government at a
foreign court.--_v.i._ to act as a servant: to perform duties: to supply or
do things needful.--_v.t._ to furnish:--_pr.p._ min'istering; _pa.p._
min'istered.--_adj._ MINIST[=E]'RIAL, pertaining to the work of a servant:
acting under superior authority: pertaining to the office of a minister:
clerical: executive.--_n._ MINIST[=E]'RIALIST, one who supports ministers
or the government in office.--_adv._ MINIST[=E]'RIALLY.--_adj._
MIN'ISTERING, attending and serving.--_n._ MINIST[=E]'RIUM, the body of the
ordained ministers in a district.--_adj._ MIN'ISTRANT, administering:
attendant.--_n._ MINISTR[=A]'TION, the act of ministering or performing
service: office or service of a minister.--_adj._ MIN'ISTR[=A]TIVE, serving
to aid or assist: ministering.--_ns._ MIN'ISTRESS, a female minister;
MIN'ISTRY, act of ministering: service: office or duties of a minister: the
clergy: the clerical profession: the body of ministers who manage the
business of the country. [L.,--_minor_, less.]
MINIUM, min'i-um, _n._ red oxide of lead.--_adj._ MIN'IATE, minium
coloured.--_v.t._ to paint with minium. [Fr.,--L., _minium_, red lead.]
MINIVER, min'i-v[.e]r, _n._ a mixed or variegated fur. [O. Fr. _menu
ver_--_menu_, small--L. _minutus_, _vair_, fur--L. _varius_, changing,
mottled.]
MINK, mingk, _n._ a small quadruped of the weasel kind, valued for its fur.
[Perh. from Sw. _mänk_.]
MINNESINGER, min'e-sing'[.e]r, _n._ one of a school of German amatory lyric
poets in the 12th and 13th centuries, mostly of noble birth. [Ger. _minne_,
love, _singer_, singer.]