Diamagnetism

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Diamagnetism \Di`a*mag"net*ism\, n.
     1. The science which treats of diamagnetic phenomena, and of
        the properties of diamagnetic bodies.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The magnetic action which characterizes diamagnetic


        substances, the magnetic moments of which tend to oppose
        an externally applied magnetic field. Contrasted with
        {paramagnetism} and {ferromagnetism}.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  diamagnetism
       n : phenomenon exhibited by materials like copper or bismuth
           that become magnetized in a magnetic field with a
           polarity opposite to the magnetic force; unlike iron they
           are slightly repelled by a magnet