lodestone

also n.

1. A piece of magnetite that has magnetic properties and attracts iron or steel.
2. One that attracts strongly.

[Middle English lode, way; see lode + STONE (from its use by sailors to show the way).]

A magnetic stone of magnetite (oxide of iron) showing polarity when suspended. It was once believed to possess magical properties of various kinds. If one was ill, the stone should be held in the hands and shaken well. It was said to cure wounds, snakebites, weak eyes, headaches, and defective hearing. The possessor of the lodestone was supposed to be able to walk through reptiles in safety even when they were accompanied by "black death." Orpheus stated that "with this stone you can hear the voices of the gods and learn many wonderful things," that it had the property of unfolding the future, and if held close to the eyes, it would inspire with a divine spirit.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a permanent magnet consisting of magnetite that possess polarity and has the power to attract as well as to be attracted magnetically
  Synonym: loadstone

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - magnet, magnetjernsten

Nederlands (Dutch)
magneet, magnetische ijzeroxide, zeilsteen, iets dat magnetisch aantrekt

Français (French)
n. - magnétite

Deutsch (German)
n. - Magnet, Magnetstein

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ορυκτολ.) μαγνητίτης

Italiano (Italian)
magnetite

Português (Portuguese)
n. - magnetita (f) (Miner.), atrativo (m)

Русский (Russian)
магнитный железняк, что-л. притягивающее и привлекательное

Español (Spanish)
n. - magnetita, piedra imán

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - magnetit, magnetisk järnmalm, (bildl.) magnet

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
天然磁石, 吸引人的东西

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 天然磁石, 吸引人的東西

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 길잡이별, 북극성, 지침

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 天然磁石, ひきつけるもの

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) حجر المغناطيس, كل ما يجذب بقوة‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮אבן שואבת, מגנט, דבר מושך, תחמוצת ברזל מגנטית‬

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