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Glite Dictionary
marine mine

marine mine

7.7
An underwater bomb placed to damage or sink ships
  • noun
  • /mɚˈin maɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mina marina
  • During the war, several ships were sunk by marine mines hidden beneath the surface.

Examples

  • Clearing the area of marine mines was critical before any vessels could pass safely.

  • The navy detected a marine mine floating near the entrance to the harbor.

  • The marine mine exploded when the ship passed over it.

  • Several marine mines were discovered in the harbor.

  • During the war, several ships were sunk by marine mines hidden beneath the surface.

  • The navy detected a marine mine floating near the entrance to the harbor.

  • Clearing the area of marine mines was critical before any vessels could pass safely.

Synonyms

magnetic mine
vsmarine mine
  • Specialized
8.1

Underwater bomb that explodes when it senses a ship's metal hull

requires physical contact to explode rather than sensing a ship's field
floating mine
vsmarine mine
  • Specialized
8.2

A bomb that floats on water and explodes when a ship hits it

is located below the water surface rather than on it

How Dangerous

marine mine
  • Specialized
7.7
mine
86 8.1
claymore mine
  • Specialized
1 9.9
bouncing betty
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Surface Forms

marine mine singular
marine mines plural

Morphology

marine + mine

The meaning 'underwater explosive device' is directly derivable from combining 'marine' (sea-related) with 'mine' (an explosive device); the adjective simply specifies the environment of the mine. This ADJ+NOUN compositional pattern is common and mirrors equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Marine mine joins marine, meaning sea, and mine, meaning a hidden explosive. Picture a bomb hidden in the water that explodes when a ship comes near, and that's why marine mine means 'an underwater explosive device' used to destroy ships.