lodestone

lodestone
lodestone "magnetically polarized oxide of iron," 1510s, lit. "way-stone," from LODE (Cf. lode) + STONE (Cf. stone) (n.). So called because it was used to make compass magnets to guide mariners. Figurative use from 1570s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Lodestone — or loadstone refers to either:* Magnetite, a magnetic mineral form of iron(II), iron(III) oxide Fe3O4, one of several iron oxides.* A piece of intensely magnetic magnetite that was used as an early form of magnetic compass.Iron, steel and… …   Wikipedia

  • Lodestone — Lode stone , n. (Min.) Same as {Loadstone}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lodestone — lodestone, loadstone noun (C, U) old use iron, or a piece of iron that acts as a magnet (1) …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • lodestone — (also loadstone) ► NOUN ▪ a piece of magnetite or other naturally magnetized mineral, able to be used as a magnet …   English terms dictionary

  • lodestone — [lōd′stōn΄] n. [ LODE + STONE] 1. any strongly magnetized rock, esp. one containing magnetite 2. something that attracts as with magnetic force …   English World dictionary

  • lodestone — UK [ˈləʊdˌstəʊn] / US [ˈloʊdˌstoʊn] noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms lodestone : singular lodestone plural lodestones a type of iron that attracts other iron or steel …   English dictionary

  • Lodestone — Loadstone Load stone , Lodestone Lode stone, n. [Load, lode + stone.] (Min.) A piece of magnetite, a magnetic iron ore, possessing polarity like a magnetic needle, having the power to attract as well as to be attracted magnetically. See… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lodestone — lodestar, lodestone are the preferred spellings, not load …   Modern English usage

  • lodestone — n. (also loadstone) 1 magnetic oxide of iron, magnetite. 2 a a piece of this used as a magnet. b a thing that attracts. * * * lodestone see loadstone …   Useful english dictionary

  • Lodestone (comics) — Superherobox| caption= comic color=background:#ff8080 character name=Lodestone real name=Andrea species= publisher=Marvel Comics debut= Darkhawk #7 (1991) creators= alliance color=background:#c0c0ff alliances=Masters of Evil aliases=… …   Wikipedia

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