\Mag"net\, n. [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes,
-etis, Gr. ? ? a magnet, metal that looked like silver,
prop., Magnesian stone, fr. Gr. ?, a country in Thessaly. Cf.
{Magnesia}, {Manganese}.]
1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the ferrosoferric or
   magnetic ore, {Fe3O4}) which has the property of
   attracting iron and some of its ores, and, when freely
   suspended, of pointing to the poles; -- called also
   {natural magnet}.

         Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the
         temple of Arsino["e] all of magnet, or this
         loadstone.                            --Holland.

         Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss, The
         larger loadstone that, the nearer this. --Dryden.

2. (Physics) A bar or mass of steel or iron to which the
   peculiar properties of the loadstone have been imparted;
   -- called, in distinction from the loadstone, an
   {artificial magnet}.

Note: An artificial magnet, produced by the action of a
      voltaic or electrical battery, is called an
      {electro-magnet}.

{Field magnet} (Physics & Elec.), a magnet used for producing
   and maintaining a magnetic field; -- used especially of
   the stationary or exciting magnet of a dynamo or
   electromotor in distinction from that of the moving
   portion or armature.