noun

la mina

lead · undermine

Ordigno nascosto che esplode quando viene toccato o quando qualcuno ci passa sopra.

Definition & meaning

Explosive device: A military device placed on or under the surface of the ground or in the water, designed to explode when triggered by a vehicle, a person, or a ship.
Excavation site: An underground place where minerals, metals, or coal are extracted.
Graphite core: The central part of a pencil, made of graphite and clay.
Figurative sense: A hidden danger or a situation that could cause serious problems if triggered.

Grammar & Word origin

The word mina? is a feminine noun.

Etymologically, it traces back to the Late Latin mina, which itself likely comes from the Gaulish mina (meaning "vein" or "ore"). Its use in military contexts emerged later, referring to the tunnels dug under fortifications to plant explosives, eventually coming to signify the explosive device itself.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

For the explosive device: ordigno?, bomba?.
For the excavation site: giacimento?, cava?, miniera?.
For the pencil core: grafite?.

Antonyms:

There are no direct antonyms for this word, as it refers to physical objects or sites. In a figurative sense, one might contrast a mina? (hidden danger) with a soluzione? (solution) or sicurezza? (safety).