Magnet
/ˈmæɡ.nɪt/noun
A material or object that produces a magnetic field.
Did you know?In ancient times, magnets were believed to possess magical properties, attracting not just metal but also fortune and love.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαγνητης (magnētēs)
“A stone from Magnesia that attracts iron.”
Middle Ages
Latin
magnetis
“Referring to the lodestone, a naturally magnetized mineral.”
16th Century
Old French
magnete
“Adoption from Latin, referring to the same lodestone.”
Modern English
English
magnet
“A term for various materials that produce magnetic fields.”
Explore more surprising origins