biomineral

noun

bio·​min·​er·​al ¦bī-(ˌ)ō-¦min-rəl 

-¦mi-nə-

plural biominerals

: a mineral that accumulates in biomineralization

Many factors affect the growth of biominerals such as calcite (CaCO3) …

—Science, 23 Oct. 1998

also : a tissue or structure formed by the deposit of biominerals

The formation of biominerals, such as bones, teeth and seashells, are not only studied because of their medical relevance …

—Fairland F. Amos et al., in Biomineralization: Medical Aspects of Solubility, 2006

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

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Rhymes for biomineral

• mineral