Măg'net, n.

n. [Lat. magnes, magnetis, Gr. λίθος Μαγνήτης, or Μαγνήτιδος, i. e., Magnesian stone, from Magnesia, Gr. Μαγνησία, a country in Thessaly; It. & Sp. magnete, O. Sp. & Pr. magneta, O. Fr. magnète.]

1Sense 1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the protoxide or octahedral), which has the property of attracting iron and some of its ores, and, when freely suspended, of pointing to the poles; natural magnet.

2Sense 2. A bar or mass of steel or iron to which the peculiar properties of the loadstone have been imparted, either by contact or by other means; — called, in distinction from the loadstone, an artificial magnet.

☞ An artificial magnet, produced by the action of a galvanic or electrical battery, is called an electro-magnet.