Mine Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mine

[maɪn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

digging

An excavation in the earth from which ore or minerals can be extracted.

Synonyms

pit, quarry, shaft.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mine	Used to indicate possession or ownership, especially in a casual or personal conversation. That book is mine. Is this your hat? No, it's mine.
pit	A large hole in the ground from which resources such as coal or minerals are extracted, often used for open-pit mining. Also refers to a hollow or depression in the ground. The gravel pit near the highway is being expanded. He fell into a deep pit while hiking.
quarry	A type of open-pit mine from which stone, rock, sand, or minerals are extracted, often used for construction materials. The marble for the statue was sourced from a local quarry. They visited an old limestone quarry that had been turned into a park.
shaft	A vertical or inclined passage from the surface to an underground mine, used for ventilation, transporting equipment, or accessing the mine. The miners descended the shaft to reach the lower levels of the mine. He looked down into the dark shaft with a flashlight.

Examples of usage

The miners descended into the mine to extract coal.
She inherited a gold mine from her grandfather.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

explosive device

A bomb placed in the ground or water and set to explode when disturbed.

Synonyms

booby trap, explosive device.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mine	Used in military contexts, it refers to an explosive device placed on or just under the ground. They are meant to damage enemy personnel or vehicles. The soldiers had to carefully navigate the field because it was full of land mines
explosive device	A general term for any device designed to cause an explosion. It is used in formal or technical discussions about bombs, grenades, or other types of explosives. The police discovered a homemade explosive device in the suspect's apartment
booby trap	Commonly refers to hidden or disguised explosive devices or mechanisms set to surprise and harm someone. Often used in guerrilla warfare or to protect areas illegally. The abandoned building was rigged with booby traps to deter intruders

Word

Description / Examples

mine

Used in military contexts, it refers to an explosive device placed on or just under the ground. They are meant to damage enemy personnel or vehicles.

The soldiers had to carefully navigate the field because it was full of land mines

explosive device

A general term for any device designed to cause an explosion. It is used in formal or technical discussions about bombs, grenades, or other types of explosives.

The police discovered a homemade explosive device in the suspect's apartment

booby trap

Commonly refers to hidden or disguised explosive devices or mechanisms set to surprise and harm someone. Often used in guerrilla warfare or to protect areas illegally.

The abandoned building was rigged with booby traps to deter intruders

Examples of usage

The soldiers detected a mine in the field and deactivated it.
The navy cleared the area of underwater mines.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

extracting minerals

To dig in the earth for ore or minerals.

Synonyms

dig, extract, harvest.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mine	Often used in the context of extracting minerals, metals, or other valuable materials from the earth, typically involving underground operations. They mine coal in this region. The company has started to mine for gold.
extract	General term for removing something from a larger whole, often used in the context of removing natural resources, chemicals, or information. They extract oil from the ground. The dentist will extract the tooth.
dig	Used when breaking up and moving soil or sand to create a hole or trench. Also used when searching for something in the ground. We need to dig a hole for the new tree. The dog loves to dig in the yard.
harvest	Mainly used in agricultural contexts to refer to the process of gathering mature crops from the fields or collecting other natural resources. Farmers will harvest the wheat in late summer. They harvest grapes for wine production.

Examples of usage

The workers mined for diamonds in the remote region.
They plan to mine the area for copper deposits.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

The oldest known mines date back to prehistoric times, such as obsidian mines found in Turkey, used for tool-making.
During the Roman Empire, large-scale mining was conducted for silver and gold, significantly contributing to their wealth.
The 19th-century gold rushes in the United States and Australia spurred migration and economic booms in those regions.

Technology

Modern mining utilizes advanced technology like drones and GPS to map out resource locations and improve safety.
Automation in mining has dramatically increased efficiency, with robots performing dangerous tasks in hazardous areas.
Warehouse-style operations also emerged for resource processing, allowing for bulk extraction and refinement.

Environment

Mining activities can significantly disrupt ecosystems, leading to habitat destruction and pollution if not managed properly.
Companies are increasingly focusing on sustainable practices to minimize the environmental impact of mining.
Reclaimed mining sites are being transformed into parks or wildlife sanctuaries once the extraction process is complete.

Pop Culture

The word 'mine' is commonly associated with video games like Minecraft, where players dig and gather resources.
In literature, mining often symbolizes the search for truth or hidden treasures, as seen in stories like 'The Hobbit'.
Films occasionally depict mining disasters to highlight themes of danger and the struggle between man and nature.

Origin of 'mine'

Main points about word origin

The word 'mine' comes from the Old French 'mine', which referred to a mine or cave in the ground.
In English, it also evolved from the Latin 'minare', meaning 'to mine or excavate'.
Originally, 'mine' could also refer to the act of extraction, making it both a noun and a verb in usage.

The word 'mine' has a long history, dating back to Old English. Originally used to refer to a tunnel or excavation for digging or working in, 'mine' later evolved to include the meaning of extracting minerals or resources from the earth. Over time, it also came to be associated with explosive devices placed underground or underwater. The versatility of 'mine' as both a noun and a verb has made it a common term in various contexts, from mining industries to military operations.

See also: miner, mining, undermine, underminer, undermining.