Magnetite
/ˈmæɡ.nəˌtaɪt/noun
A strongly magnetic iron oxide mineral, Fe3O4, often black and metallic in appearance.
Did you know?Magnetite is one of the few naturally occurring minerals that can become a permanent magnet, which is why ancient people treated magnetic stones as almost enchanted.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαγνῆτις λίθος (magnētis lithos)
“‘stone from Magnesia,’ the magnetic stone named after the region of Magnesia”
Latin
Latin
magnes / magnet-
“magnet, lodestone”
Middle English
English
magnet
“a stone or object that attracts iron”
19th Century
English
magnetite
“the mineral form of iron oxide with magnetic properties”
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