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mine 1 (mīn)
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n.
1.
a. A hole or tunnel dug into the earth from which ore or minerals are extracted.
b. A surface excavation where the topmost or exposed layer of earth is removed for extracting its ore or minerals.
c. The site of such a hole, tunnel, or excavation, including its surface buildings and equipment.
2. A deposit of ore or minerals in the earth or on its surface.
3. An abundant supply or source of something valuable: This guidebook is a mine of information.
4.
a. A tunnel dug under an enemy emplacement to destroy it by explosives, cause it to collapse, or gain access to it for an attack.
b. An explosive device used to destroy enemy personnel, shipping, fortifications, or equipment, often placed in a concealed position and designed to be detonated by contact, proximity, or a time fuse.
5. A burrow or tunnel made by an insect, especially one made in a leaf by a leaf miner.
v. mined, min·ing, mines
v.tr.
1.
a. To extract (ore or minerals) from the earth.
b. To dig a mine in (the earth) to obtain ore or minerals.
2.
a. To tunnel under (the earth or a surface feature).
b. To make (a tunnel) by digging.
3. To lay explosive mines in or under.
4. To attack, damage, or destroy by underhand means; subvert.
5. To delve into and make use of; exploit: mine the archives for detailed information.
v.intr.
1.
a. To excavate the earth for the purpose of extracting ore or minerals.
b. To work in a mine.
2. To dig a tunnel under the earth, especially under an enemy emplacement or fortification.
3. To lay explosive mines.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *mīna, probably of Celtic origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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