DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Mag·net·ite n. Min. An oxide of iron (Fe3O4) occurring in isometric crystals, also massive, of a black color and metallic luster.  It is readily attracted by a magnet and sometimes possesses polarity, being then called loadstone.  It is an important iron ore.  Called also magnetic iron.
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 Mag·net·ic Mag·net·ic·al a.
 1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic needle.
 2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by, the earth's magnetism; as, the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian.
 3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism; as, the magnetic metals.
 4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the feelings and to win the affections; attractive; inducing attachment.
    She that had all magnetic force alone.   --Donne.
 5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by, animal magnetism, so called; hypnotic; as, a magnetic sleep. See Magnetism. [Archaic]
 Magnetic amplitude, attraction, dip, induction, etc. See under Amplitude, Attraction, etc.
 Magnetic battery, a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets with the like poles adjacent, so as to act together with great power.
 Magnetic compensator, a contrivance connected with a ship's compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of the iron of the ship upon the needle.
 Magnetic curves, curves indicating lines of magnetic force, as in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of a powerful magnet.
 Magnetic elements. (a) Chem. Physics Those elements, as iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable or becoming magnetic. (b) Physics In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the declination, inclination, and intensity. (c) See under Element.
 Magnetic fluid, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of magnetism; -- no longer considered a meaningful concept.
 Magnetic iron, or Magnetic iron ore. Min. Same as Magnetite.
 Magnetic needle, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a delicate fiber, so that it may take freely the direction of the magnetic meridian.  It constitutes the essential part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the surveyor's.
 Magnetic poles, the two points in the opposite polar regions of the earth at which the direction of the dipping needle is vertical.
 Magnetic pyrites. See Pyrrhotite.
 Magnetic storm Terrestrial Physics, a disturbance of the earth's magnetic force characterized by great and sudden changes.
 magnetic tape Electronics, a ribbon of plastic material to which is affixed a thin layer of powder of a material which can be magnetized, such as ferrite.  Such tapes are used in various electronic devices to record fluctuating voltages, which can be used to represent sounds, images, or binary data.  Devices such as audio casette recorders, videocasette recorders, and computer data storage devices use magnetic tape as an inexpensive medium to store data.  Different magnetically susceptible materials are used in such tapes.
 Magnetic telegraph, a telegraph acting by means of a magnet. See Telegraph.
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 I·ron n.
 1. Chem. The most common and most useful metallic element, being of almost universal occurrence, usually in the form of an oxide (as hematite, magnetite, etc.), or a hydrous oxide (as limonite, turgite, etc.). It is reduced on an enormous scale in three principal forms; viz., cast iron, steel, and wrought iron. Iron usually appears dark brown, from oxidation or impurity, but when pure, or on a fresh surface, is a gray or white metal. It is easily oxidized (rusted) by moisture, and is attacked by many corrosive agents. Symbol Fe (Latin Ferrum). Atomic number 26, atomic weight 55.847.  Specific gravity, pure iron, 7.86; cast iron, 7.1. In magnetic properties, it is superior to all other substances.
 Note: ☞ The value of iron is largely due to the facility with which it can be worked. Thus, when heated it is malleable and ductile, and can be easily welded and forged at a high temperature. As cast iron, it is easily fusible; as steel, is very tough, and (when tempered) very hard and elastic. Chemically, iron is grouped with cobalt and nickel. Steel is a variety of iron containing more carbon than wrought iron, but less that cast iron. It is made either from wrought iron, by roasting in a packing of carbon (cementation) or from cast iron, by burning off the impurities in a Bessemer converter (then called Bessemer steel), or directly from the iron ore (as in the Siemens rotatory and generating furnace).
 2. An instrument or utensil made of iron; -- chiefly in composition; as, a flatiron, a smoothing iron, etc.
    My young soldier, put up your iron.   --Shak.
 3. pl. Fetters; chains; handcuffs; manacles.
    Four of the sufferers were left to rot in irons.   --Macaulay.
 4. Strength; power; firmness; inflexibility; as, to rule with a rod of iron.
 5. Golf An iron-headed club with a deep face, chiefly used in making approaches, lifting a ball over hazards, etc.
 Bar iron. See Wrought iron (below).
 Bog iron, bog ore; limonite. See Bog ore, under Bog.
 Cast iron Metal., an impure variety of iron, containing from three to six percent of carbon, part of which is united with a part of the iron, as a carbide, and the rest is uncombined, as graphite. It there is little free carbon, the product is white iron; if much of the carbon has separated as graphite, it is called gray iron. See also Cast iron, in the Vocabulary.
 Fire irons. See under Fire, n.
 Gray irons. See under Fire, n.
 Gray iron. See Cast iron (above).
 It irons Naut., said of a sailing vessel, when, in tacking, she comes up head to the wind and will not fill away on either tack.
 Magnetic iron. See Magnetite.
 Malleable iron Metal., iron sufficiently pure or soft to be capable of extension under the hammer; also, specif., a kind of iron produced by removing a portion of the carbon or other impurities from cast iron, rendering it less brittle, and to some extent malleable.
 Meteoric iron Chem., iron forming a large, and often the chief, ingredient of meteorites. It invariably contains a small amount of nickel and cobalt.  Cf. Meteorite.
 Pig iron, the form in which cast iron is made at the blast furnace, being run into molds, called pigs.
 Reduced iron. See under Reduced.
 Specular iron. See Hematite.
 Too many irons in the fire, too many objects or tasks requiring the attention at once.
 White iron. See Cast iron (above).
 Wrought iron Metal., the purest form of iron commonly known in the arts, containing only about half of one per cent of carbon. It is made either directly from the ore, as in the Catalan forge or bloomery, or by purifying (puddling) cast iron in a reverberatory furnace or refinery. It is tough, malleable, and ductile. When formed into bars, it is called bar iron.