mineralization (min"eralizashon)

[F. minéralisation = Sp. miner a liz a cion = ralisação = It. mineralizzazione; as mineralize Pg. mine + -ation.] The act or proce of mineralizing; the proce of converting or being converted into a mineral, as a metal into an oxid, sul phuret, or other ore. The conversion of vegetable matter into coal is not properly mineralization, although sometimes so called. Proper mineralization of vegetable matter does take place, however, as when wood is converted into opal, or becomes silicified, as very frequently happens under certain conditions. This is commonly and properly called fo ilization or petrifaction, and more rarely miner a liz at i on. Also spelled mineralisation. Some phenomena seem to imply that the mineralization must proceed with considerable rapidity, for stems of a soft and succulent character, and of a most perishable nature, are preserved in flint. Lyell, Elements of Geology, I. 92. mineralize (min'e-ral-iz), v.; pret. and pp. min eralized, ppr. mineralizing. [F. minéraliser = Sp. Pg. mineral izar = It. mineralizzare; as min eral + -ize.] I. trans. To change from the metallic character to that of an ore. Thus tin, a white metal, becomes very dark-colored and unmetallic in appearance when mineralized by oxygen, as it is in the common ore of that metal. II. in trans. To go on a mineralogical excursion; make an excursion with the view of collecting minerals. Also spelled mineralise .