'mineral' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'minerale', where 'minera' meant 'mine' or 'ore'.

'mineral' changed from Medieval Latin 'minerale' through Old French 'minéral' and eventually became the modern English word 'mineral'.

Initially, it meant 'a substance obtained from a mine (ore)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a naturally occurring inorganic substance with a definite chemical composition' and was also extended to mean dietary inorganic elements.