loadstone
[lohd-stohn]
Origin of loadstone
lodestone
or load·stone
[lohd-stohn]
- a variety of magnetite that possesses magnetic polarity and attracts iron.
- a piece of this serving as a magnet.
- something that attracts strongly.
Origin of lodestone
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for loadstone
Historical Examples
The Loadstone Rock was drawing him, and he must sail on, until he struck.
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens
One came from the finding of the loadstone, or natural magnet.
Discoverers and ExplorersEdward R. Shaw
She drew as potently, and to all appearances as impassively, as a loadstone.
BonaventureGeorge Washington Cable
Then the heap of money was a loadstone for all their hungry eyes.
Bidwell's Travels, from Wall Street to London PrisonAustin Biron Bidwell
They made small boats, but were ignorant of the loadstone and the compass.
The Discovery of America Vol. 1 (of 2)John Fiske.
loadstone
- a variant spelling of lodestone
lodestone
loadstone
- a rock that consists of pure or nearly pure magnetite and thus is naturally magnetic
- a piece of such rock, which can be used as a magnet and which was formerly used as a primitive compass
- a person or thing regarded as a focus of attraction
Word Origin
C16: literally: guiding stone
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for loadstone
lodestone
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
lodestone
- A piece of the mineral magnetite that acts like a magnet.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.