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Mineralogy: meaning, definitions and examples

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mineralogy

 

[ ˌmɪn.əˈrɒl.ə.dʒi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

science branch

Mineralogy is the branch of geology that focuses on the study of minerals, their properties, classification, and the processes by which they form. It encompasses the examination of the chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Mineralogists often analyze both the formation of minerals and their occurrence in nature. The field also includes studying the uses of minerals in various industries, as well as their significance in environmental science. Understanding mineralogy is crucial for natural resource exploration and management.

Synonyms

geology, mineral science, petrology

Examples of usage

  • Mineralogy helped identify the new mineral discovered in the region.
  • The course on mineralogy includes extensive lab work on crystal formations.
  • She specialized in mineralogy and conducted research on rare earth elements.

Translations

Translations of the word "mineralogy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mineralogia

🇮🇳 खनिज विज्ञान

🇩🇪 Mineralogie

🇮🇩 mineralogi

🇺🇦 мінералогія

🇵🇱 mineralogia

🇯🇵 鉱物学

🇫🇷 minéralogie

🇪🇸 mineralogía

🇹🇷 mineralojik

🇰🇷 광물학

🇸🇦 علم المعادن

🇨🇿 mineralogie

🇸🇰 mineralógia

🇨🇳 矿物学

🇸🇮 mineralogija

🇮🇸 steindfræði

🇰🇿 минералогия

🇬🇪 მინერალოგია

🇦🇿 minalogiya

🇲🇽 mineralogía

Etymology

The term mineralogy is derived from the Latin word 'mineralis', meaning 'of a mineral'. The suffix '-logy' comes from the Greek 'logia', which means 'study of'. The discipline evolved during the Renaissance, with early naturalists beginning to classify and describe various minerals. In the 18th and 19th centuries, mineralogy became more scientific, as chemists started to explore the chemical composition of minerals. Pioneers like René Just Haüy laid the groundwork for modern crystal morphology. Today, mineralogy is a vital aspect of earth sciences, contributing to fields like environmental geology, mining, and material sciences.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,126, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.