'mineralogic' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'mineralogicus', where 'mineralo-' comes from Latin 'minerale' meaning 'mineral' and the suffix '-icus'/'-ic' means 'pertaining to'.

'mineralogic' developed from Late Latin/Neo‑Latin 'mineralogicus' (from 'mineralogia' = 'study of minerals') into modern English via usage in scientific Latin and 18th–19th century English scientific vocabulary.

Initially it meant 'pertaining to mineralogy; relating to the study of minerals,' and this core meaning has remained stable into modern usage, now also applied to descriptions of mineral composition.