Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Magnet \Mag"net\, n. [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes,
   -etis, Gr. ? ? a magnet, metal that looked like silver,
   prop., Magnesian stone, fr. Gr. ?, 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}.

            Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the
            temple of Arsino["e] all of magnet, or this
            loadstone.                            --Holland.

            Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss, The
            larger loadstone that, the nearer this. --Dryden.

   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}.

   Note: An artificial magnet, produced by the action of a
         voltaic or electrical battery, is called an
         {electro-magnet}.

   {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.

Source : WordNet®

magnet
     n 1: (physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a
          magnetic field
     2: a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts;
        "flowers are an attractor for bees" [syn: {attraction}, {attractor},
         {attracter}, {attractive feature}]