mine
mine
Pronunciation
mine /maɪn/
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal consonant
/aɪ/ - diphthong (as in "sky")
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal consonant
Word Form Variations
Pronoun: mine (possessive, used in place of a noun)
Noun: mine (singular), mines (plural)
Verb: mine (base form), mines (third-person singular present), mining (present participle), mined (past tense, past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Pronoun
mine (possessive pronoun)
Belonging to me; that which is my possession.
Synonyms: my (as in "that is my book"), belonging to me.
Antonyms: yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.
Example: "That book is mine."
Noun
mine (plural: mines)
A large excavation made in the earth from which valuable minerals, such as coal, gold, or diamonds, are extracted.
Synonyms: quarry, pit, excavation, digging.
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific type of location.)
Example: "The workers spent their days deep inside the coal mine."
An explosive device, typically placed in or on the ground or water, designed to detonate when disturbed, often used in warfare.
Synonyms: bomb, explosive, landmine, naval mine.
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific type of device.)
Example: "The sappers had to clear the field of hidden mines before the troops could advance."
An abundant source or store of something valuable, often referring to information or resources.
Synonyms: trove, wealth, abundance, reservoir, fount.
Antonyms: scarcity, lack, dearth.
Example: "Her grandmother's stories were a mine of local history and folklore."
Verb
mine (third-person singular present: mines, present participle: mining, past tense: mined, past participle: mined)
To extract minerals or other valuable substances from the earth by digging or other methods.
Synonyms: excavate, dig, quarry, extract.
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, but can be contrasted with "fill" or "restore" in the context of land.)
Example: "The company plans to mine for copper in the newly discovered deposit."
To lay explosive devices in or on the ground or water.
Synonyms: lay mines, plant, booby-trap.
Antonyms: clear, de-mine, disarm.
Example: "The engineers were ordered to mine the strategic bridge to prevent enemy passage."
To search extensively for and obtain information or valuable data.
Synonyms: extract, glean, gather, exploit, delve into.
Antonyms: overlook, ignore, neglect.
Example: "Researchers are mining old government records for new insights into historical events."
Examples of Use
Books:
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." This iconic line from George Orwell's Animal Farm sets the stage for a society where collective ownership quickly devolves, contrasting with the implied "mine" of individual possession.
Newspapers:
"Coal mines across the region are facing unprecedented challenges due to falling demand and the push for renewable energy sources." (Example of a headline or article from a major financial newspaper, e.g., The Wall Street Journal).
"Authorities have launched an investigation after an unexploded World War II-era mine was discovered near a popular beach, leading to immediate evacuations." (Local news report, e.g., The Guardian).
Online Publications:
"Data scientists are constantly mining vast datasets to uncover hidden patterns and predict consumer behavior." (An article on data analytics, e.g., Forbes.com).
"The tech giant announced its plans to invest heavily in mining rare earth minerals, crucial for the production of electric vehicles." (Technology news site, e.g., TechCrunch).
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the characters delve into the ancient Dwarf city of Moria, often referred to as "the mines of Moria," highlighting the deep excavations made for valuable mithril.
Music: The song "You Are My Sunshine" includes the line, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray." While not explicitly using "mine," the possessive "my" throughout the lyrics clearly implies a profound connection and belonging, similar to the sentiment conveyed by "mine." (Popular folk song, widely known).
Video Games: In Minecraft, the core gameplay revolves around players "mining" various blocks and resources to build structures and craft items. The very name of the game incorporates the verb "mine."
Television: In a documentary about historical conflicts, a narrator might state, "The battlefield was heavily mined by both sides, making advances incredibly perilous for infantry." (History Channel, e.g., World War II in Colour, episode).
General Public Discourse:
"That's mine!" (A common exclamation among children when claiming ownership of a toy or object.)
"This idea is all mine – I thought of it myself." (Used in casual conversation to emphasize original thought or ownership of an idea.)
"We need to mine for new talent within the company to fill these senior roles." (Used metaphorically in business discussions to mean actively searching for and developing internal resources.)
10 Quotes Using Mine
"Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater." (Albert Einstein)
"If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine." (Che Guevara)
"I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine." (Bruce Lee)
"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." (Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights)
"I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine." (Neil Armstrong)
"One half of me is yours, the other half is yours, Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours, And so all yours." (William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice)
"Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." (Lloyd Bentsen, 1988 Vice Presidential Debate)
"Is it a crime, to fight, for what is mine?" (Tupac Shakur)
"That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal, as time will show." (Ada Lovelace)
"Men would live exceedingly quiet if these two words, mine and thine, were taken away." (Anaxagoras)
Etymology
The word "mine" has a fascinating journey through history, with its different meanings actually coming from different origins!
"Mine" (the possessive word – like "that book is mine")
This "mine" comes from a very old root. It can be traced back to Old English "min" and even further to a reconstructed language called Proto-Germanic (minaz). This ancient Germanic word simply meant "my" or "mine," referring to something belonging to the speaker. So, the idea of possession has been attached to this sound for a very, very long time.
"Mine" (the noun for an excavation or an explosive device, and the verb "to mine")
This "mine" has a separate origin, mostly coming from French. It entered English around the 1300s from the Old French word "mine." This Old French word had several meanings, including:
"vein" or "lode" (like a vein of metal in the ground)
"tunnel" or "shaft" (a passage dug into the earth)
"mineral ore" itself
And, directly, "mine" as a place where minerals like coal or tin were found.
The Old French "mine" itself is believed to have come from a Celtic language source, possibly related to Welsh "mwyn" or Irish "mein," both meaning "ore" or "mine."
So, the first known use of "mine" in the sense of a digging or excavation for minerals appeared in English around the 1300s, carrying that meaning directly from Old French. The meaning of an "explosive device" (like a landmine) developed later from the idea of a tunnel dug for destructive purposes, eventually referring to the explosive device itself. The verb "to mine" (to dig for minerals) also came from this Old French root.
In short, "mine" meaning "belonging to me" is a very old Germanic word, while "mine" referring to digging for minerals or an explosive device is a later adoption from Old French, with Celtic roots.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Mine
A mine of information: Someone or something that is a rich source of knowledge.
To mine for data/insights: To search extensively through information to find valuable patterns or understanding.
Light at the end of the tunnel (often implies getting out of a "mine"): A sign that a difficult period is coming to an end. (Idiom with a related concept)
Striking gold/a rich vein: Discovering something very valuable or profitable, often referencing finding a rich deposit in a mine. (Idiom with similar effect)
No man's land (often referring to ground between "mines"): An area or situation that does not belong to anyone or where no one wants to be. (Idiom with a related concept)
Digging your own grave (similar to digging a "mine" that leads to trouble): Doing something that will cause your own downfall. (Idiom with similar effect)
To step on a landmine: To encounter a hidden and dangerous problem or situation.
What's mine is mine: A strong declaration of ownership or a possessive attitude.
To spring a mine: To cause an explosive device to detonate.
The dark before the dawn (can relate to being in a "mine"): The worst part of a difficult situation just before it improves. (Idiom with a related concept)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of mine from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
