magnetite

American  

[mag-ni-tahyt] / ˈmæg nɪˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a very common black iron oxide mineral, Fe 3 O 4 , that is strongly attracted by magnets: an important iron ore.

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magnetite British  

/ ˈmæɡnɪˌtaɪt, ˌmæɡnɪˈtɪtɪk /

noun

1. a black magnetic mineral, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and as a separate deposit. It is a source of iron. Composition: iron oxide. Formula: Fe 3 O 4 . Crystal structure: cubic

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magnetite Scientific  

/ măg′nĭ-tīt′ /

1. A brown to black mineral that is strongly magnetic. It crystallizes in the cubic system and commonly occurs as small octahedrons. Magnetite occurs in many different types of rock and is an important source of iron. Chemical formula: Fe ₃ O ₄ .

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Other Word Forms

• magnetitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of magnetite

1850–55; magnet + -ite ¹; compare German Magnetit

Example Sentences

The other involves small magnetite crystals within the body that shift in response to magnetic forces, which would allow the animal to feel the field.

From Science Daily

One particularly interesting finding was that small mineral grains called framboids, composed of magnetite, a form of iron oxide, had completely lost their normal magnetic properties.

From Science Daily

The researchers found that magnetite induced an immune response in the mice and in the human neuronal cells in the lab.

From Science Daily

For instance, all species coat their teeth in the iron mineral magnetite, making them the hardest material created by a living organism.

From Science Daily

"The micrometeorite collisions trigger chemical reactions on magnetite and lead to the formation of the iron nitride."

From Science Daily