magneto
[ mag-nee-toh ]
/ mægˈni toʊ /
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noun, plural mag·ne·tos.Electricity.
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.
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Also called magnetoelectric generator, magnetogenerator.
Origin of magneto
First recorded in 1880–85; short for magnetoelectric generator
Words nearby magneto
Definition for magneto (2 of 2)
magneto-
a combining form representing magnetic or magnetism in compound words: magnetochemistry.
Also especially before a vowel, magnet-.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for magneto
British Dictionary definitions for magneto (1 of 2)
magneto
/ (mæɡˈniːtəʊ) /
noun plural -tos
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
Word Origin for magneto
C19: short for magnetoelectric generator
British Dictionary definitions for magneto (2 of 2)
magneto-
combining form
indicating magnetism or magnetic propertiesmagnetosphere
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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