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ETYMOLOGY DICTIONARY:
- magnet (n.)
- mid-15c. (earlier magnes, late 14c.), from O.Fr. magnete "magnetite, magnet, lodestone," and directly from L. magnetum (nom. magnes) "lodestone," from Gk. ho Magnes lithos "the Magnesian stone," from Magnesia, region in Thessaly where magnetized ore was obtained. Figurative use from 1650s. It has spread from Latin to most Western European languages (cf. Ger., Dan. magnet, Du. magneet, It., Sp., Port. magnete), but it was superseded in French by aimant. Also cf. magnesia. Chick magnet attested from 1989.
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