magneto

¹

[mag-nee-toh]

noun

Electricity.

plural

magnetos 

1. a small electric generator with an armature that rotates in a magnetic field provided by permanent magnets, as a generator supplying ignition current for certain types of internal combustion engines or a hand-operated generator for telephone signaling.

magneto-

²

1. a combining form representing magnetic or magnetism in compound words.

   magnetochemistry.

magneto

¹

/ mæɡˈniːtəʊ /

noun

1. a small electric generator in which the magnetic field is produced by a permanent magnet, esp one for providing the spark in an internal-combustion engine

magneto-

²

combining form

1. indicating magnetism or magnetic properties

   magnetosphere

Word History and Origins

Origin of magneto¹

First recorded in 1880–85; short for magnetoelectric generator

Word History and Origins

Origin of magneto¹

C19: short for magnetoelectric generator

Example Sentences

I know only one thing about them for certain, and that is that my engineer grandfather designed a magneto for the Ford Model A, which replaced the hugely successful Model T in 1928.

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During a test flight, a problem was found in a magneto, which fires the engine spark plugs.

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Established in 2009, IceBridge is an annual series of flights over both polar regions, surveying the state of the ice with a suite of instruments including laser altimeters, radars, magneto­meters and gravimeters.

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He switched over to the magneto and the Ford of Lee Chong chuckled and jiggled and clattered happily as though it knew it was working for a man who loved and understood it.

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Even after retirement, Schlote continued to be active with 4-H and open shows and exhibits and still worked as a mechanic on magnetos, the units on older tractor models that created a spark.

Read more on Washington Times