The Collaborative International Dictionary
Magnet \Mag"net\ (m[a^]g"n[e^]t), n. [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes, -etis, Gr. Magnh^tis li`qos a magnet, metal that looked like silver, prop., Magnesian stone, fr. Gr. Magnhsi`a, a country in Thessaly. Cf. Magnesia, Manganese.]
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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. -
(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 an electrical current, 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.
Usage examples of "electro-magnet".
He has contrived things so various as the self-acting mule and the best electro-magnet, wet gas-meters and dry planing machines, iron billard-tables and turret-clocks, the centrifugal railway and the drill slotting-machine, an apparatus for making cigars and machinery for the propulsion and equipment of steamships.
The result of his trying was that he won the prize for the most powerful electro-magnet: one is placed in the museum at Peel Park, Manchester, and another with the Scottish Society of Arts, Edinburgh.
One set of electro-magnets in the red pockets is connected with one button under the carpet and a set of batteries.
Whichever set of electro-magnets is energised attracts the ball and by this simple method it is in the power of the operator to let the ball go to red or black as he may wish.
Whichever set of electro-magnets is energized attracts the ball and by this simple method it is in the power of the operator to let the ball go to red or black as he may wish.
You can do this by passing a large magnet or portable electro-magnet rapidly back and forth across the reels of tape, thus erasing them.