In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
MAGNET
magnet
(noun) (physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field
attraction, attractor, attracter, attractive feature, magnet
(noun) a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts; “flowers are an attractor for bees”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
magnet (plural magnets)
A piece of material that attracts some metals by magnetism.
(informal, figuratively, preceded by a noun) A person or thing that attracts what is denoted by the preceding noun.
Coordinate terms
• electret (a magnet analog for electric charge)
Anagrams
• Getman
Source: Wiktionary
Mag"net, n. Etym: [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes, -etis, Gr. 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 Arsinoë 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)
Definition: 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: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
29 March 2025
THOUGHTLESS
(adjective) without care or thought for others; “the thoughtless saying of a great princess on being informed that the people had no bread; ‘Let them eat cake’”
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