Adjacent Words

Magnet definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

MAG'NET, n. [L. from Gr. Magnesia, in Asia Minor.] The lodestone; an ore of iron which has the peculiar properties of attracting metallic iron, of pointing to the poles, and of dipping or inclining downwards. These properties it communicates to iron by contact. A bar of iron to which these properties are imparted, is called an artificial magnet.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: (physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field
2: a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts; "flowers are an attractor for bees" [syn: attraction, attractor, attracter, attractive feature, magnet]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English magnete, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnet-, magnes, from Greek magn?s (lithos), literally, stone of Magnesia, ancient city in Asia Minor Date: 15th century 1. a. lodestone b. a body having the property of attracting iron and producing a magnetic field external to itself; specifically a mass of iron, steel, or alloy that has this property artificially imparted 2. something that attracts <a box-office magnet>

Britannica Concise

Any material capable of attracting iron and producing a magnetic field outside itself. By the end of the 19th cent., all known elements and many compounds had been tested for magnetism, and all were found to have some magnetic property. However, only three elements--iron, nickel, and cobalt--exhibit ferromagnetism. See also compass, electromagnet.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a piece of iron, steel, alloy, ore, etc., usu. in the form of a bar or horseshoe, having properties of attracting or repelling iron. 2 a lodestone. 3 a person or thing that attracts. Etymology: ME f. L magnes magnetis f. Gk magnes = Magnes -etos (lithos) (stone) of Magnesia: cf. MAGNESIA

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Magnet Mag"net, n. [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes, -etis, Gr. ? ? a magnet, metal that looked like silver, prop., Magnesian stone, fr. Gr. ?, a country in Thessaly. Cf. Magnesia, Manganese.] 1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the ferrosoferric or magnetic ore, Fe3O4) which has the property of attracting iron and some of its ores, and, when freely suspended, of pointing to the poles; -- called also natural magnet. Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the temple of Arsino["e] all of magnet, or this loadstone. --Holland. Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss, The larger loadstone that, the nearer this. --Dryden. 2. (Physics) A bar or mass of steel or iron to which the peculiar properties of the loadstone have been imparted; -- called, in distinction from the loadstone, an artificial magnet. Note: An artificial magnet, produced by the action of a voltaic or electrical battery, is called an electro-magnet. Field magnet (Physics & Elec.), a magnet used for producing and maintaining a magnetic field; -- used especially of the stationary or exciting magnet of a dynamo or electromotor in distinction from that of the moving portion or armature.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(magnets) 1. If you say that something is a magnet or is like a magnet, you mean that people are very attracted by it and want to go to it or look at it. Prospect Park, with its vast lake, is a magnet for all health freaks... N-COUNT: usu a N in sing, oft N for n 2. A magnet is a piece of iron or other material which attracts iron towards it. ...a fridge magnet. N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Loadstone, natural magnet. 2. Artificial magnet.

Moby Thesaurus

ambition, artificial magnet, bar magnet, catch, center of attraction, center of consciousness, center of interest, cynosure, dearest wish, desideration, desideratum, desire, electromagnetic lifting magnet, field magnet, focal point, focus, focus of attention, forbidden fruit, glimmering goal, golden vision, hope, horseshoe magnet, lodestar, lodestone, magnetic needle, magnetite, paramagnet, plum, point of convergence, polestar, prime focus, prize, solenoid, temptation, trophy, wish