mine

⁴mine

verb

minedmin·ing

Definition of MINE

transitive verb

1

a : to dig under to gain access or cause the collapse of (an enemy position) b : undermine

2

a : to get (as ore) from the earth b : to extract from a source <information mined from the files>

3

: to burrow beneath the surface of <larva that mines leaves>

4

: to place military mines in, on, or under <mine a harbor>

5

a : to dig into for ore or metal b : to process for obtaining a natural constituent <mine the air for nitrogen> c : to seek valuable material in

intransitive verb

: to dig a mine

— min·er noun

Examples of MINE

1. The area was soon filled with prospectors who were mining for gold.
2. Prospectors mined the region for diamonds.
3. Local people were hired to mine the gold.
4. The enemy had mined the harbor.

First Known Use of MINE

14th century

Related to MINE

Synonyms: booby-trap

Related Words: blow up, bomb; ambush, snare, trap; attack

[+]more[-]hide