What is "magnetic fluid"

Magnetic \Mag*net"ic\, Magnetical \Mag*net"ic*al\, a. [L. magneticus: cf. F. magn['e]tique.]

1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic needle.

2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by, the earth's magnetism; as, the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian.

3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism; as, the magnetic metals.

4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the feelings and to win the affections; attractive; inducing attachment.

   She that had all magnetic force alone.
   --Donne.

5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by, animal magnetism, so called; hypnotic; as, a magnetic sleep. See Magnetism. [Archaic] Magnetic amplitude, attraction, dip, induction, etc. See under Amplitude, Attraction, etc. Magnetic battery, a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets with the like poles adjacent, so as to act together with great power. Magnetic compensator, a contrivance connected with a ship's compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of the iron of the ship upon the needle. Magnetic curves, curves indicating lines of magnetic force, as in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of a powerful magnet. Magnetic elements.

   1. (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable or becoming magnetic.

   2. (Physics) In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the declination, inclination, and intensity.

   3. See under Element.

      Magnetic fluid, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of magnetism; -- no longer considered a meaningful concept.

      Magnetic iron, or Magnetic iron ore. (Min.) Same as Magnetite.

      Magnetic needle, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a delicate fiber, so that it may take freely the direction of the magnetic meridian. It constitutes the essential part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the surveyor's.

      Magnetic poles, the two points in the opposite polar regions of the earth at which the direction of the dipping needle is vertical.

      Magnetic pyrites. See Pyrrhotite.

      Magnetic storm (Terrestrial Physics), a disturbance of the earth's magnetic force characterized by great and sudden changes.

      Magnetic telegraph, a telegraph acting by means of a magnet. See Telegraph.

Fluid \Flu"id\, n. A fluid substance; a body whose particles move easily among themselves. Note: Fluid is a generic term, including liquids and gases as species. Water, air, and steam are fluids. By analogy, the term was sometimes applied to electricity and magnetism, as in phrases electric fluid, magnetic fluid, though not strictly appropriate; such usage has disappeared. Fluid dram, or Fluid drachm, a measure of capacity equal to one eighth of a fluid ounce. Fluid ounce.

1. In the United States, a measure of capacity, in apothecaries' or wine measure, equal to one sixteenth of a pint or 29.57 cubic centimeters. This, for water, is about 1.04158 ounces avoirdupois, or 455.6 grains.

2. In England, a measure of capacity equal to the twentieth part of an imperial pint. For water, this is the weight of the avoirdupois ounce, or 437.5 grains.

   Fluids of the body. (Physiol.) The circulating blood and lymph, the chyle, the gastric, pancreatic, and intestinal juices, the saliva, bile, urine, aqueous humor, and muscle serum are the more important fluids of the body. The tissues themselves contain a large amount of combined water, so much, that an entire human body dried in vacuo with a very moderate degree of heat gives about 66 per cent of water.

   Burning fluid, Elastic fluid, Electric fluid, Magnetic fluid, etc. See under Burning, Elastic, etc.

Magnetic fluid may refer to:

• Magnetorheological fluid, a fluid that changes viscosity when subjected to a magnetic field.
• Ferrofluid, a strongly paramagnetic fluid.