A naturally occurring substance of neither animal nor vegetable origin; an inorganic substance. (Not now in technical use.)

Chemistry. Originally: †any of the four elements (earth, fire, water, and air) believed to constitute matter; a material substance made from one…

A rock or mineral substance, or an object composed of this, dug out of the earth. Obsolete.

A naturally occurring substance which differs from a true mineral in some respect, esp. in having an amorphous rather than a crystalline structure.