Definition

Noun 1. A naturally occurring oxide of iron that exhibits strong magnetic properties: This term refers to a specific mineral form of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) that is naturally magnetic and is the most magnetic of all minerals found on Earth. It is a primary and important ore of iron.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The compass needle points north because it is made from a piece of magnetic iron-ore.
  • Miners extracted large quantities of magnetic iron-ore from the deposit.
  • Magnetic iron-ore is easily separated from other rocks using powerful magnets during processing.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: In geology and materials science, "magnetic iron-ore" is the common name for the mineral magnetite. Its strong permanent magnetism is a defining characteristic used for identification.
  • The presence of magnetic iron-ore in the rock sample confirms the geological history of the region.

Variants and Related Words

• Magnetite (n): The formal mineralogical and scientific name for magnetic iron-ore.
  • Magnetite has the chemical formula Fe₃O₄.
• Lodestone (n): A naturally magnetized piece of magnetite. Historically used in early compasses.
  • Ancient navigators used a suspended lodestone to find direction.

Synonyms

• Magnetite: The direct scientific synonym.
• Ferrous ferric oxide: A chemical name describing its composition (FeO·Fe₂O₃).

Notes on Meaning

This term is a compound noun ("magnetic iron-ore") that functions as a single, specific unit of meaning. It is not typically broken down into separate interpretations of "magnetic" and "iron-ore" in this context, as it names one distinct material. Its core meaning is inseparable from its inherent property of magnetism.

Noun

1. an oxide of iron that is strongly attracted by magnets