unmineralized
|un-min-er-al-ized|
/ˌʌnˈmɪn(ə)rəlaɪzd/
(unmineralize)
not containing minerals / lacking mineralization
Etymology
'unmineralized' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') added to 'mineralize', which in turn is based on 'mineral' (from Late Latin 'minerale').
'mineral' passed into English via Old French/Medieval Latin (Medieval Latin 'minerale'), giving rise to the verb 'mineralize' in Modern English; the negative form 'un-' was later prefixed to create 'unmineralize' and its past participle 'unmineralized'.
Initially words in this family referred to naturally occurring minerals; over time 'mineralize' came to mean 'to impart mineral content or to convert into a mineral (or inorganic) form,' and 'unmineralized' now denotes the absence or removal of such mineral content.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'unmineralize' (to remove minerals or to prevent mineralization).
They unmineralized the sample to study organic residue.
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Adjective 1
not mineralized; lacking mineral deposits or not impregnated with mineral matter.
The soil in that area is largely unmineralized and thus poor in nutrients.
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Adjective 2
in biology or material science: not converted into a mineralized (hard, inorganic) tissue or structure (e.g., bone or shell not mineralized).
The biopsy showed largely unmineralized collagen, indicating delayed ossification.
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Last updated: 2025/10/25 05:10