ClimateAugust 8, 2026

mineralogy

min-uh-RAL-uh-jee

Definition

The scientific study of minerals, including their composition, structure, and physical properties.

Etymology

Derived from the French 'minéralogie,' combining the root 'mineral' (from the Medieval Latin 'minerale') with the Greek suffix '-logia' (study of). It entered English in the late 18th century to describe the systematic classification of natural inorganic substances.

In the news

In the context of BRICS, mineralogy is essential for understanding the strategic control and supply-chain management of rare earth elements and raw materials necessary for the high-tech industry.

BRICS Industry Ministers Advance Supply-Chain Cooperation as Great Powers Era 2.0 Takes Shape

Read the full article ↗

Rare Earth Exchanges

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.