magnetite

mag-net-ite · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A black iron oxide mineral (Fe3O4) that is strongly magnetic and an important iron ore.

  2. 2.

    A naturally occurring magnetic mineral, historically significant as the earliest discovered magnet.

Forms

plural: magnetites

Related words

See also: iron ore, lodestone, magnet
Synonyms: iron oxide, lodite

Etymology

From German Magnetit, from Greek Magnētis lithos meaning "Magnesian stone," referring to the region of Magnesia.