Electromagnet

3 definitions found

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

  Magnet \Mag"net\ (m[a^]g"n[e^]t), n. [OE. magnete, OF. magnete,
     L. magnes, -etis, Gr. Magnh^tis li`qos a magnet, metal that
     looked like silver, prop., Magnesian stone, fr. Gr.
     Magnhsi`a, a country in Thessaly. Cf. {Magnesia},
     {Manganese}.]
     1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the ferrosoferric or


        magnetic ore, {Fe3O4}) which has the property of
        attracting iron and some of its ores, and, when freely
        suspended, of pointing to the poles; -- called also
        {natural magnet}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the
              temple of Arsino["e] all of magnet, or this
              loadstone.                            --Holland.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss,
              The larger loadstone that, the nearer this.
                                                    --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Physics) A bar or mass of steel or iron to which the
        peculiar properties of the loadstone have been imparted;
        -- called, in distinction from the loadstone, an
        {artificial magnet}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: An artificial magnet, produced by the action of an
           electrical current, is called an {electro-magnet}.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {Field magnet} (Physics & Elec.), a magnet used for producing
        and maintaining a magnetic field; -- used especially of
        the stationary or exciting magnet of a dynamo or
        electromotor in distinction from that of the moving
        portion or armature.
        [1913 Webster] Magnetic

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

  Electro-magnet \E*lec`tro-mag"net\, n.
     A mass, usually of soft iron, but sometimes of some other
     magnetic metal, as nickel or cobalt, rendered temporarily
     magnetic by being placed within a coil of wire through which
     a current of electricity is passing. The metal is generally
     in the form of a bar, either straight, or bent into the shape
     of a horseshoe.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  electromagnet
       n : a temporary magnet made by coiling wire around an iron core;
           when current flows in the coil the iron becomes a magnet