mineralize verb. ['mɪn(ǝ)rǝlʌɪz] Also mineralise. M17.
[from MINERAL noun, adjective + -IZE.]
1. verb trans. Change wholly or partly into a mineral substance; change (a metal) into an ore. Chiefly as mineralized ppl adjective. M17.
b. verb intrans. Undergo such a change. rare. M19.

2. verb trans. Add a mineral or minerals to; impregnate with inorganic substances; make into mineral water. Chiefly as mineralized ppl adjective. L18.

3. verb intrans. Seek for or study minerals. Now rare. L18.

4. verb trans. In pass. Of a vein, deposit, etc.: contain ore or minerals to a specified extent. L19.

■ mineralizable adjective L19.

■ minerali'zation noun the process or action of mineralizing something; the state of being mineralized: M18.

■ mineralizer noun (chiefly Geology) (a) a substance that combines with a metal to form an ore, as oxygen, sulphur, arsenic, etc.; (b) a volatile constituent which controls or promotes the formation of minerals from a magma; a substance which promotes the artificial synthesis of a mineral: L18.

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