A mineral is a naturally occurring, solid substance with a specific chemical makeup and crystal structure, such as quartz or salt. Minerals make up rocks and are also essential nutrients in small amounts for living things.
From Medieval Latin ‘minerale,’ meaning ‘something mined,’ from ‘mina’ (mine). It originally referred to substances obtained from mines.
The glitter in a rock, the salt on your fries, and the iron in your blood are all minerals in different roles. Geologists and nutritionists use the same word, but one studies mountains while the other studies meals.
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