English Explanatory Dictionary

magnet

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun

A piece of material that attracts some metals by magnetism.
An alluring or attractive person or thing.
Ellipsis of magnet link.

Pronunciation

/ˈmæɡ.nɪt/ /ˈmæɡ.nət/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-magnet.wav /mæɡnɛʈ/

Word forms

magnet magnets

Etymology

Etymology tree Old French magnetebor. Ancient Greek Μάγνης (Mágnēs) Ancient Greek μᾰ́γνης (mắgnēs)bor. Latin magnēsbor. Middle English magnete English magnet From Middle English magnete, via Old French magnete, Latin magnēs, magnētem (“lodestone”), from Ancient Greek μαγνῆτις [λίθος] (magnêtis [líthos], “Magnesian [stone]”), either after the Lydian city Magnesia ad Sipylum (modern-day Manisa, Turkey), or after the Greek region of Μαγνησία (Magnēsía) (whence came the colonists who founded the city in Lydia). Related to manganese, magnesia and magnesium.

Related words

Derived words

antiferromagnet corrector magnet cow magnet diamagnet electret electro-magnet fanny magnet ferrimagnet ferromagnet field magnet fist magnet helimagnet magnetarium magnet fishing magnetic magnetical magnetics magnetify magnetimeter magnetise magnetize magnetism magnetod magnetite magnetization magnetless magnetlike magneto magnetoid magnetoionic magnetionic magnetology magneton magnetorquer magnet play magnetricity magnetron magnet therapy metamagnet micromagnet Mount Magnet nanomagnet neodymium magnet nonmagnet oven magnet paramagnet photo magnet photomagnet pussy magnet rare earth magnet refrigerator magnet single-molecule magnet speromagnet supermagnet welfare magnet babe magnet bar magnet bitch magnet chick magnet electromagnet

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