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lode-stone

noun

1.

a variety of magnetite that possesses magnetic polarity and attracts iron.

2.

a piece of this serving as a magnet.

3.

something that attracts strongly.

Also, loadstone.

Origin:
1505–15; lode (in obsolete sense “way, course”) + stone

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

lodestone or loadstone (ˈləʊdˌstəʊn)

—n
1.	a. a rock that consists of pure or nearly pure magnetite and thus is naturally magnetic
	b. a piece of such rock, which can be used as a magnet and which was formerly used as a primitive compass
2.	a person or thing regarded as a focus of attraction

[C16: literally: guiding stone]

loadstone or loadstone

—n

[C16: literally: guiding stone]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Relevant Questions

What Is A Lode Stone?

What Is A Lode Stone?

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Lode-stone is always a great word to know.

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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

lodestone

"magnetic oxide of iron," 1510s, from lode + stone. So called because it was used as a magnet to guide mariners.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Science Dictionary

lodestone also loadstone

lodestone pronunciation

(lōd'stōn') Pronunciation Key
A piece of the mineral magnetite that acts like a magnet.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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