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magnetic

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Magnetic \Mag*net"ic\, n.
   1. A magnet. [Obs.]

            As the magnetic hardest iron draws.   --Milton.

   2. Any metal, as iron, nickel, cobalt, etc., which may
      receive, by any means, the properties of the loadstone,
      and which then, when suspended, fixes itself in the
      direction of a magnetic meridian.

Magnetic \Mag*net"ic\, Magnetical \Mag*net"ic*al\, a. [L.
   magneticus: cf. F. magn['e]tique.]
   1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the
      magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of
      iron; a magnetic needle.

   2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by, the earth's
      magnetism; as, the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian.

   3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism;
      as, the magnetic metals.

   4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the
      feelings and to win the affections; attractive; inducing
      attachment.

            She that had all magnetic force alone. --Donne.

   5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by, animal magnetism,
      so called; as, a magnetic sleep. See {Magnetism}.

   {Magnetic amplitude}, {attraction}, {dip}, {induction}, etc.
      See under {Amplitude}, {Attraction}, etc.

   {Magnetic battery}, a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets
      with the like poles adjacent, so as to act together with
      great power.

   {Magnetic compensator}, a contrivance connected with a ship's
      compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of the
      iron of the ship upon the needle.

   {Magnetic curves}, curves indicating lines of magnetic force,
      as in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of
      a powerful magnet.

   {Magnetic elements}.
      (a) (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as iron, nickel,
          cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable
          or becoming magnetic.
      (b) (Physics) In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the
          declination, inclination, and intensity.
      (c) See under {Element}.

   {Magnetic equator}, the line around the equatorial parts of
      the earth at which there is no dip, the dipping needle
      being horizontal.

   {Magnetic field}, or {Field of magnetic force}, any space
      through which magnet exerts its influence.

   {Magnetic fluid}, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was
      formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of
      magnetism.

   {Magnetic iron}, or {Magnetic iron ore}. (Min.) Same as
      {Magnetite}.

   {Magnetic needle}, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and
      suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a
      delicate fiber, so that it may take freely the direction
      of the magnetic meridian. It constitutes the essential
      part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the
      surveyor's.

   {Magnetic poles}, the two points in the opposite polar
      regions of the earth at which the direction of the dipping
      needle is vertical.

   {Magnetic pyrites}. See {Pyrrhotite}.

   {Magnetic storm} (Terrestrial Physics), a disturbance of the
      earth's magnetic force characterized by great and sudden
      changes.

   {Magnetic telegraph}, a telegraph acting by means of a
      magnet. See {Telegraph}.

Attraction \At*trac"tion\, n. [L. attractio: cf. F. attraction.]
   1. (Physics) An invisible power in a body by which it draws
      anything to itself; the power in nature acting mutually
      between bodies or ultimate particles, tending to draw them
      together, or to produce their cohesion or combination, and
      conversely resisting separation.

   Note: Attraction is exerted at both sensible and insensible
         distances, and is variously denominated according to
         its qualities or phenomena. Under attraction at
         sensible distances, there are, -- (1.)

   {Attraction of gravitation}, which acts at all distances
      throughout the universe, with a force proportional
      directly to the product of the masses of the bodies and
      inversely to the square of their distances apart. (2.)

   {Magnetic}, {diamagnetic}, and {electrical attraction}, each
      of which is limited in its sensible range and is polar in
      its action, a property dependent on the quality or
      condition of matter, and not on its quantity. Under
      attraction at insensible distances, there are, -- (1.)

   {Adhesive attraction}, attraction between surfaces of
      sensible extent, or by the medium of an intervening
      substance. (2.)

   {Cohesive attraction}, attraction between ultimate particles,
      whether like or unlike, and causing simply an aggregation
      or a union of those particles, as in the absorption of
      gases by charcoal, or of oxygen by spongy platinum, or the
      process of solidification or crystallization. The power in
      adhesive attraction is strictly the same as that of
      cohesion. (3.)

   {Capillary attraction}, attraction causing a liquid to rise,
      in capillary tubes or interstices, above its level
      outside, as in very small glass tubes, or a sponge, or any
      porous substance, when one end is inserted in the liquid.
      It is a special case of cohesive attraction. (4.)

   {Chemical attraction}, or

   {affinity}, that peculiar force which causes elementary
      atoms, or groups of atoms, to unite to form molecules.

   2. The act or property of attracting; the effect of the power
      or operation of attraction. --Newton.

   3. The power or act of alluring, drawing to, inviting, or
      engaging; an attractive quality; as, the attraction of
      beauty or eloquence.

   4. That which attracts; an attractive object or feature.

   Syn: Allurement; enticement; charm.

Source : WordNet®

magnetic
     adj 1: of or relating to or caused by magnetism; "magnetic forces"
     2: having the properties of a magnet; i.e. of attracting iron
        or steel; "the hard disk is covered with a thin coat of
        magnetic material" [syn: {magnetized}, {magnetised}] [ant:
         {antimagnetic}]
     3: capable of being magnetized [ant: {nonmagnetic}]
     4: determined by earth's magnetic fields; "magnetic north";
        "the needle of a magnetic compass points to the magnetic
        north pole" [ant: {geographic}]
     5: having the properties of a magnet; the ability to draw or
        pull; "an attractive force"; "the knife hung on a magnetic
        board" [syn: {attractive(a)}] [ant: {repulsive(a)}]
     6: possessing an extraordinary ability to attract; "a
        charismatic leader"; "a magnetic personality" [syn: {charismatic}]
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