Loadstone

3 definitions found

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

  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 {Magnetite}.
     [1913 Webster]



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

  Magnetite \Mag"net*ite\, n. (Min.)
     An oxide of iron ({Fe3O4}) occurring in isometric crystals,
     also massive, of a black color and metallic luster. It is
     readily attracted by a magnet and sometimes possesses
     polarity, being then called {loadstone}. It is an important
     iron ore. Called also {magnetic iron}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  loadstone
       n : a permanent magnet consisting of magnetite that possess
           polarity and has the power to attract as well as to be
           attracted magnetically [syn: {lodestone}]