First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1mine
adjective \ˈmīn\
Definition of MINE
: my —used before a word beginning with a vowel or h <this treasure in mine arms — Shakespeare> or sometimes as a modifier of a preceding noun —archaic except in an elevated style
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Origin of MINE
Middle English min, from Old English mīn — more at my
2mine
pronoun, singular or plural in construction
Definition of MINE
: that which belongs to me —used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective my
First Known Use of MINE
before 12th century
3mine
noun
: a pit or tunnel from which minerals (such as coal, gold, diamonds, etc.) are taken
: a bomb that is placed in the ground or in water and that explodes when it is touched
: a rich source of something (such as information)
Full Definition of MINE
1
a : a pit or excavation in the earth from which mineral substances are taken b : an ore deposit
2
: a subterranean passage under an enemy position
3
: an encased explosive that is placed in the ground or in water and set to explode when disturbed
4
: a rich source of supply
See mine defined for English-language learners
Origin of MINE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *mina, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh mwyn ore
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to MINE
- Synonyms
- argosy, cornucopia, gold mine, mother lode, treasure trove, wellspring
4mine
verb
: to dig a mine in order to find and take away coal, gold, diamonds, etc.
: to find and take away (coal, gold, diamonds, etc.) from a mine
: to search for something valuable in (something)
minedmin·ing
Full Definition of MINE
transitive verb
1
a : to dig under to gain access or cause the collapse of (an enemy position) b : undermine
2
a : to get (as ore) from the earth b : to extract from a source <information mined from the files>
3
: to burrow beneath the surface of <larva that mines leaves>
4
: to place military mines in, on, or under <mine a harbor>
5
a : to dig into for ore or metal b : to process for obtaining a natural constituent <mine the air for nitrogen> c : to seek valuable material in <mine old records for more details>
intransitive verb
: to dig a mine
— min·er noun
See mine defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MINE
14th century
Related to MINE
- Synonyms
- booby-trap
MINE Defined for Kids
1mine
pronoun \ˈmīn\
Definition of MINE for Kids
: that which belongs to me <That book is mine.> <Those books are mine.>
2mine
noun
Definition of MINE for Kids
1
: a pit or tunnel from which minerals (as coal, gold, or diamonds) are taken
2
: an explosive device placed in the ground or water and set to explode when disturbed (as by an enemy soldier, vehicle, or ship)
3
: a rich source of supply <She was a mine of information.>
3mine
verb
minedmin·ing
Definition of MINE for Kids
1
: to dig or work in a mine <They mined the hills for gold.>
2
: to obtain from a mine <mine coal>
3
: to place explosive mines in or under <mine a field>
— min·er noun
Learn More About MINE
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