diamagnetism

/ (ˌdaɪəˈmæɡnɪˌtɪzəm) /

Save This Word!

noun

the phenomenon exhibited by substances that have a relative permeability less than unity and a negative susceptibility. It is caused by the orbital motion of electrons in the atoms of the material and is unaffected by temperatureCompare ferromagnetism, paramagnetism

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Words nearby diamagnetism

dialyze, dialyzer, diam., diamagnet, diamagnetic, diamagnetism, diamanté, diamantiferous, Diamantina, diamantine, di-amelia

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

How to use diamagnetism in a sentence

At the last lecture we attended he showed the diamagnetism of flame, which had been proved by a foreign philosopher.
Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age, of Mary Somerville|Mary Somerville
If the body is more sensitive than the air, there is direct magnetism, but if it is less so, there is diamagnetism.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 315, January 14, 1882|Various
If we present to it the vibrating body, it will be repelled, and we shall obtain the results known by the name of diamagnetism.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 315, January 14, 1882|Various
The properties of paramagnetism and diamagnetism are not possessed by solids only, but exist also in liquids and gases.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume XIV|John Lord

Rapidly following it is the discovery of Diamagnetism, or the repulsion of matter by a magnet.
Fragments of science, V. 1-2|John Tyndall

Scientific definitions for diamagnetism

diamagnetism

[ dī′ə-măg′nĭ-tĭz′əm ]

The property of being repelled by both poles of a magnet. Most substances commonly considered to be nonmagnetic, such as water, are actually diamagnetic. Though diamagnetism is a very weak effect compared with ferromagnetism and paramagnetism, it can be used to levitate objects. Compare ferromagnetism paramagnetism. See also Lenz's law.

Other words from diamagnetism

diamagnetic adjective (dī′ə-măg-nĕt′ĭk)