magneto
[mag-nee-toh]
- 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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Origin of magneto
First recorded in 1880–85; short for magnetoelectric generator
Also called magnetoelectric generator, magnetogenerator.
magneto-
- a combining form representing magnetic or magnetism in compound words: magnetochemistry.
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Also especially before a vowel, magnet-.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for magneto
Contemporary Examples
Magneto represents an extreme point of those views so you can sort of isolate them.
Readers unfamiliar with the twins may recognize their father, perennial X-Men villain, Magneto.
I was a huge fan of the X-Men comics growing up, and Magneto is great.
‘Kick-Ass 2’ Star Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s Favorite Movie VillainsChristopher Mintz-Plasse
August 15, 2013
But Michael Fassbender reveals that he did the same thing, when he played Magneto in X-Men: First Class.
George Clooney’s Worst Job? 10 Best Newsweek Oscar Roundtable BitsRamin Setoodeh, David Ansen
January 23, 2012
Historical Examples
They are dependent upon a magneto which is dependent only upon faith.
Free AirSinclair Lewis
The magneto was run by a belt from one of the ballonet blowers.
The War in the Air; Vol. 1Walter Raleigh.
It is usually run by suitable gearing direct from the shaft of the magneto.
MotorsJames Slough Zerbe
As stated, a magneto is a special type of dynamo which will now be explained.
MotorsJames Slough Zerbe
Provided the magneto were all right, he felt that he might get started again after all.
Bert Wilson's Twin Cylinder RacerJ. W. Duffield
magneto
- 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
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Word Origin
C19: short for magnetoelectric generator
magneto-
- indicating magnetism or magnetic propertiesmagnetosphere
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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 magneto
n.
1882, short for magneto-electric machine (see magneto-).
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magneto-
word-forming element meaning "magnetic, magnetism," from Greek magneto-, combining form of magnes (see magnet).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper