mineMINE, a. called sometimes a pronominal adj. [L. meus.] My; belonging to me. It was formerly used before nouns beginning with vowels. "I kept myself from mine iniquity." Ps.18. But this use is no longer retained. We now use my before a vowel as well as before an articulation; as my iniquity. In present usage, my always precedes the noun, and mine follows the noun, and usually the verb; as, this is my book; this book is mine; it is called my book; the book is called mine: it is acknowledged to be mine. Mine sometimes supplies the place of a noun. Your sword and mine are different in construction. MINE, n. MINE, v.i. To dig a mine or pit in the earth. MINE, v.t. To sap; to undermine; to dig away or otherwise remove the substratum or foundation; hence, to ruin or destroy by slow degrees or secret means. |