n. 1 a piece of iron, steel, alloy, ore, etc., usu. in the form of a bar or horseshoe, having properties of attracting or repelling iron. 2 a lodestone. 3 a person or thing that attracts.
[ ME f. L magnes magnetis f. Gk magnes = Magnes -etos (lithos) (stone) of Magnesia: cf. MAGNESIA ]