/ ˈmægnətɪzəm; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
a physical property (= characteristic) of some metals such as iron, produced by electric currents, that causes forces between objects, either pulling them towards each other or pushing them apart
2.
the qualities of sth, especially a person's character, that people find powerful and attractive :
She exudes sexual magnetism.
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from modern Latin magnetismus , from Latin magneta , from Greek magnēs lithos lodestone, probably influenced by Anglo-Norman French magnete (from Latin magnes , magnet- ).