The Collaborative International Dictionary
Attraction \At*trac"tion\, n. [L. attractio: cf. F. attraction.]
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(Physics) An invisible power in a body by which it draws anything to itself; the power in nature acting mutually between bodies or ultimate particles, tending to draw them together, or to produce their cohesion or combination, and conversely resisting separation.
Note: Attraction is exerted at both sensible and insensible distances, and is variously denominated according to its qualities or phenomena. Under attraction at sensible distances, there are, -- (1.)
Attraction of gravitation, which acts at all distances throughout the universe, with a force proportional directly to the product of the masses of the bodies and inversely to the square of their distances apart. (
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) Magnetic, diamagnetic, and electrical attraction, each of which is limited in its sensible range and is polar in its action, a property dependent on the quality or condition of matter, and not on its quantity. Under attraction at insensible distances, there are, -- (
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Adhesive attraction, attraction between surfaces of sensible extent, or by the medium of an intervening substance. (
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Cohesive attraction, attraction between ultimate particles, whether like or unlike, and causing simply an aggregation or a union of those particles, as in the absorption of gases by charcoal, or of oxygen by spongy platinum, or the process of solidification or crystallization. The power in adhesive attraction is strictly the same as that of cohesion. (
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Capillary attraction, attraction causing a liquid to rise, in capillary tubes or interstices, above its level outside, as in very small glass tubes, or a sponge, or any porous substance, when one end is inserted in the liquid. It is a special case of cohesive attraction. (
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Chemical attraction, or
affinity, that peculiar force which causes elementary atoms, or groups of atoms, to unite to form molecules.
2. The act or property of attracting; the effect of the power or operation of attraction.
--Newton.3. The power or act of alluring, drawing to, inviting, or engaging; an attractive quality; as, the attraction of beauty or eloquence.
4. That which attracts; an attractive object or feature.
Syn: Allurement; enticement; charm.
Wiktionary
a. (context physics English) Exhibiting diamagnetism; repelled by a magnet. n. Any substance that exhibits diamagnetism.
WordNet
adj. relating to or exhibiting diamagnetism; slightly repelled by a magnet
Usage examples of "diamagnetic".
In those days Valona would borrow a diamagnetic scooter and take him out of the village every idle-day.
He thought for a savage moment of those of the Upper City with their diamagnetic ground-cars and anti-gray gyros.
There were undoubtedly road blocks at all possible exits from the town, and they knew he could use no means of transportation more complicated than a diamagnetic scooter.
The diamagnetic field strengthened progressively towards the ship’s prow and it began tipping upward.
In those days Valona would borrow a diamagnetic scooter and take him out of the village every idle-day.
THREE: The Librarian THEY LEFT the diamagnetic scooter in a scooter-cubby outside the City limits.
Daneel touched the cuff of his right shirt sleeve and the diamagnetic seam fell apart the entire length of his arm.
But, just as the fabric of the sleeve had fallen in two when the diamagnetic field of its seam had been interrupted, so now the arm itself fell in two.