magnetic English · revision 7190

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1611|origins=la magnes}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /mæɡˈnɛtɪk/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|magneticus]], from Latin [[m|la|magnes|t=magnet, lodestone]] (accusative magneta) (see [[magnet]]),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) partly through French [[m|fr|magnétique]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Having the properties of a magnet: the 1610s, in Donne, literal but poetic;^(Etymonline) 1611 in MWU, 1634 in the OED.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Having powers of attraction, figuratively, is from the 1630s (1632 in the OED), though Donne's conceit already had it in mind.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Capable of being attracted by a magnet, of iron, nickel and cobalt, is from 1837.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Magnetics'', the science of magnetism, is from 1786.^(Etymonline) Magnetic tape and disks for recording data are 20th-century uses.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1611 – of a magnet.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1632 – very attractive.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1786 – magnetics.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1837 – attracted by a magnet.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having the properties of a [[magnet]]; relating to [[magnetism]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Capable of being magnetized or attracted by a magnet.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Very attractive or alluring: ''a magnetic personality''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to the earth's magnetism: ''magnetic north''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[magnetically]]

+ * [[aeromagnetic]]

+ * [[antiferromagnetic]]

+ * [[antimagnetic]]

+ * [[diamagnetic]]

+ * [[electromagnetic]]

+ * [[ferrimagnetic]]

+ * [[ferromagnetic]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[magnet]]

+ * [[magnetism]]

+ * [[magnetize]]

+ * [[magnesia]]

+ * [[magnesium]]

+ * [[manganese]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}