Lōad'stōne, n.

n. [A-S. lādu, lād, course, conduct. See supra. The old orthography, lodestone, would be preferable, as this word has no connection with the verb to load.] (Min.) A piece of magnetic iron ore possessing polarity like a magnetic needle: the ore is very abundant, and all of it is attractable by a magnet, but only occasional masses have polarity. [Written also lodestone.] See LODESTONE. Dana.