‖ miˈnera Obs.
[med.L., ad. OF. miniere, minere mine = Pr. meniera, Sp. minera, Pg. mineira, It. minera:—Com. Rom. type *minaria (a med.L. minaria is found in the 13th c.), f. *mina, minare: see mine n. and v.]
The matrix in which a metal or a precious stone was supposed to grow; in later use, the ore of a metal. Also fig.
| 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 42 He hath discovered the Minera of man, or that substance out of which man..was made. 1655 T. Vaughan Euphrates 120 This made the Philosophers seek a more crude minera, whose fume was moist. 1667 Phil. Trans. II. 469 Extracting the perfect Mettals out of their Minera's without Lead..by casting a Powder upon the Minera. 1673 Ray Journ. Low C. 246 A large piece of the minera or matrix of Emeralds, with the stones growing in it. 1754 Huxham in Phil. Trans. XLVIII. 839 Thus the dust, or minera, or ashes of iron, are harmless, and may be swallowed safely. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Minera,..a mine, also used frequently to designate a mineral which contains a shining metallic substance. |