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magnetic pole

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magnetic pole

–noun
1. the region of a magnet toward which the lines of magnetic induction converge (south pole) or from which the lines of induction diverge (north pole).
2. either of the two points on the earth's surface where the dipping needle of a compass stands vertical, one in the arctic, the other in the antarctic. See maps under North Pole, South Pole.

Origin:
1695–1705
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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magnetic pole  
n.  
  1. Either of two limited regions in a magnet at which the field of the magnet is most intense, each of which is designated by the approximate geographic direction to which it is attracted.

  2. Either of two variable points on the earth, close to but not coinciding with the geographic poles, where the magnetic field of the earth is most intense and toward which the needle of a compass points.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

magnetic pole

The spot on the Earth toward which a compass needle will point.

Note: The north magnetic pole is not located exactly at the geographic North Pole. Therefore, depending on where a compass is, its needle may not point exactly north.
Note: The variation between magnetic north and “true” north is usually shown on navigation maps as the “angle of declination.”
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

magnetic pole

region at each end of a magnet where the external magnetic field is strongest. A bar magnet suspended in the Earth's magnetic field orients itself in a north-south direction. The north-seeking pole of such a magnet, or any similar pole, is called a north magnetic pole. The south-seeking pole, or any pole similar to it, is called a south magnetic pole. Unlike poles of different magnets attract each other; like poles repel each other

Learn more about magnetic pole with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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