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magnetic bottle

Any configuration of magnetic fields used to contain a plasma during controlled thermonuclear reactions.

magnetic compass

An device using a magnet (such as a magnetic needle) to indicate the direction of magnetic north.

magnetic declination

The angle (at a particular location) between magnetic north and true north; called also magnetic variation.

magnetic dip

The angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon.

magnetic dipole moment

A physical quantity associated with the magnetic field of a dundamental particle; as, An orbiting electron in an atom will have a magnetic dipole moment.

magnetic disk magnetic disc

A ditical memory device consisting of a flat disk covered with a magnetic coating on which information is stored; a hard disk, floppy disk, and diskette are typically magnetic disks.

magnetic equator

An imaginary line paralleling the equator where a magnetic needle has no dip, the dipping needle being horizontal; called also aclinic line.

magnetic field

The space around a magnet through which it exerts magnetic force; a field of force surrounding a permanent magnet, electrical current, or a moving charged particle; called also magnetic flux and field of magnetic force.

magnetic flux

A measure of the strength of a magnetic field over a given area.

magnetic flux density

The amount of magnetic flux in a unit area perpendicular to the direction of magnetic flow.

magnetic force

The force caused by a magnetic field, a force which affects objects having a magnetic field and objects in which a magnetic field can be induced, such as ferromagnetic substances; a magnetic force manifests itself as an attraction for iron. It is associated with electric currents and moving charged paticles as well as permanent magnets.

magnetic head

An electromagnet (as on a tape recorder) that converts electrical variations into magnetic variations that can be stored on a magnetizable surface and later retrieved.

magnetic induction

The process that makes a substance magnetic (temporarily or permanently).

magnetic levitation

The process of supporting an object, such as a vehicle, with a magnetic field so that it does not contact the object supporting it; it is a method used for eliminating friction in moving vehicles, and is used, e.g. in high-speed rail technology where a train is suspended on a magnetic cushion above a magnetized track and so travels free of friction.

magnetic mine

A marine mine that is detonated by a mechanism that detects the nearness of magnetic material (as the steel hull of a ship). A magnetic counter mine may allow the passagw of several ships before detonating.

magnetic moment

The torque exerted on a magnet or dipole when it is placed in a magnetic field.

magnetic needle

A slender magnet suspended in a magnetic compass on a low-friction mounting; used to indicate the direction of the earth's magnetic pole.

magnetic north

The direction in which the north-pointing end of a compass needle points; at low latitudes it is close to geographic (true) north, but deviates substantially from true north as one nears the north pole.

magnetic pole

Either of two points where the lines of force of the earth's magnetic field are vertical.

magnetic recorder

A device for making records (of sound, data, etc.) on magnetic media such as magnetic tape or wire.

magnetic resonance

A phenomenon resulting from quantization in the magnetic field of electrons or atoms or molecules or nuclei exposed to an external magnetic field, by which a narrow frequency band of radio waves may be absorbed and re-emitted by the object.

magnetic resonance imaging

a medical diagnostic procedure utilizing the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance to generate images of internal parts of the body. It depends on the differential absorption of electromagnetic radiation by different types of living tissue in a magnetic field. It is complementary to X-ray imaging in that the softer tissue show more prominently in magnetic resonance images, rather than bone, as with X-rays. It is a non-invasive procedure, allowing such images to be obtained without penetration of the tissue by objects. It is abbreviated MRI. As with computerized tomography, the results are usually presented as images of sequential planar sections of that part of the body of concern to the physician.

magnetic storm

A sudden disturbance of the earth's magnetic field; caused by emission of particles from the sun.

magnetic tape

A long thin plastic ribbon coated with iron oxide or other ferromagnetic material, used to record audio or video signals digital data in the form of small magnetized regions on the tape; it is a common digital data storage medium for computer information.

Magnetical Magnetic

Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic needle.

Magnetician

One versed in the science of magnetism; a magnetist.

Magnetism

The property, quality, or state, of being magnetic; the manifestation of the force in nature which is seen in a magnet. At one time it was believed to be separate from the electrical force, but it is now known to be intimately associated with electricity, as part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism.

Magnetite

An oxide of iron (Fe3O4) occurring in isometric crystals, also massive, of a black color and metallic luster. It is readily attracted by a magnet and sometimes possesses polarity, being then called loadstone. It is an important iron ore. Called also magnetic iron.

Magnetization

The act of magnetizing, or the state of being magnetized.

Magnetize

To communicate magnetic properties to; to make magnetic; as, to magnetize a needle.

Magnetizee

A person subjected to the influence of animal magnetism.

Magnetizer

One who, or that which, imparts magnetism.

magneto

A small electric generator with an armature rotating in a magnetic field, having a secondary winding that generates a high voltage, such as one used to generate a voltage sufficient to cause a spark to jump between the poles of a spark plug in an internal-combustion engine.

Magneto-

A prefix meaning pertaining to, produced by, or in some way connected with, magnetism.

Magnetograph

An automatic instrument for registering, by photography or otherwise, the states and variations of any of the terrestrial magnetic elements.

magnetohydrodynamics

The study of the interaction of magnetic fields with electrically conductive fluids, such as a plasma or a molten metal.

Magnetometer

An instrument for measuring the intensity of magnetic forces; also, less frequently, an instrument for determining any of the terrestrial magnetic elements, as the dip and declination.

Magnetometric

Pertaining to, or employed in, the measurement of magnetic forces; obtained by means of a magnetometer; as, magnetometric instruments; magnetometric measurements.

Magnetomotive

Pertaining to, or designating, a force producing magnetic flux, analogous to electromotive force, and equal to the magnetic flux multiplied by the magnetic reluctance.

Magnetomotor

A voltaic series of two or more large plates, producing a great quantity of electricity of low tension, and hence adapted to the exhibition of electro-magnetic phenomena.

magneton

A unit of magnetic moment for a subatomic particle, atom, or molecule.

magnetosphere

the magnetic field of a planet; the volume around the planet in which charged particles are subject more to the planet's magnetic field than to the solar magnetic field.

Magnetotherapy

The treatment of disease by the application of magnets to the surface of the body.

magnetron

a diode vacuum tube in which the flow of electrons from a central cathode to a cylindrical anode is controlled by crossed magnetic and electric fields; used mainly in microwave oscillators.

Magnificat

The song of the Virgin Mary, Luke i. 46; -- so called because it commences with this word in the Vulgate.

Magnificence

The act of doing what is magnificent; the state or quality of being magnificent.

Magnificent

Doing grand things; admirable in action; displaying great power or opulence, especially in building, way of living, and munificence.

Magnifico

A grandee or nobleman of Venice; -- so called in courtesy.

Magnify

To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some lenses magnify but little.

magnifying glass

A single convex lens which magnifies the apparent dimensions of objects seen through it, and is used to produce an enlarged image.

Magniloquence

The quality of being magniloquent; pompous discourse; grandiloquence.

Magniloquent

Speaking pompously; using swelling discourse; bombastic; tumid in style; grandiloquent.

Magnitude

Extent of dimensions; size; -- applied to things that have length, breadth, and thickness.

Magnolia

A genus of American and Asiatic trees, with aromatic bark and large sweet-scented whitish or reddish flowers.

Magnoliaceae

A natural family of plants, a subclass of the Magnoliidae; it includes the genera Liriodendron; Magnolia; Manglietia; and Michelia.

Magnoliaceous

Pertaining to a natural order (Magnoliaceae) of trees of which the magnolia, the tulip tree, and the star anise are examples.

Magnoliidae

a group of families of trees and shrubs and herbs having well-developed perianths and apocarpous ovaries and generally regarded as the most primitive extant flowering plants; contains 36 families including Magnoliaceae and Ranunculaceae; sometimes classified as a superorder.

Magnoliophyta

A class of flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in an ovary; in some systems considered a class (Angiospermae) and in others a division (Magnoliophyta or Anthophyta).

Magnoliopsida

A class of seed plants that produce an embryo with two cotyledons and net-veined leaves; divided into six (not always well distinguished) subclasses (or superorders): Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae (considered primitive); Caryophyllidae (an early and distinctive offshoot); and three more or less advanced groups: Dilleniidae; Rosidae; Asteridae.

magnum

Having a larger charge than usual for a cartridge of the same caliber; -- of cartridges for handgun; as, a .44 magnum cartridge.

Magpie

Any one of numerous species of the genus Pica and related genera, allied to the jays, but having a long graduated tail.

Maguari

A South American stork (Euxenara maguari), having a forked tail.

Maguey

Any of several species of Agave, such as the century plant (Agave Americana), a plant requiring many years to come to maturity and blossoming only once before dying; and the Agave atrovirens, a Mexican plant used especially for making pulque, the source of the colorless Mexican liquor mescal; and the cantala (Agave cantala), a Philippine plant yielding a hard fibre used in making coarse twine. See Agave.

magus

a magician or sorcerer of ancient times.

Magyar

Of or pertaining to the Magyars or their language; Hungarian.

Maha

A member of the Siouan people formerly living in the Missouri river valley in Northeastern Nebraska; called also Omaha.

Mahabharatam Mahabarata

A celebrated sacred epic poem of the Hindus, written in Sanskrit. It is of great length, and is chiefly devoted to a history, in many episodes, of a civil war between two dynasties of ancient India.

Mahaled

A cherry tree (Prunus Mahaleb) of Southern Europe. The wood is prized by cabinetmakers, the twigs are used for pipe stems, the flowers and leaves yield a perfume, and from the fruit a violet dye and a fermented liquor (like kirschwasser) are prepared.

maharajah maharaja

A sovereign prince in India; a Hindu prince or king in India ranking above a raja; -- a title given also to other persons of high rank.

maharani

A great rani; a princess in India or the wife of a maharaja.

Maharif

An African antelope (Hippotragus Bakeri). Its face is striped with black and white.

Maharmah

A muslin wrapper for the head and the lower part of the face, worn by Turkish and Armenian women when they go abroad.

Mahatma

One of a class of sages, or /adepts,/ reputed to have knowledge and powers of a higher order than those of ordinary men.

Mahayana

a major school of Buddhism teaching social concern and universal salvation, found in China; Japan; Tibet; Nepal; Korea; and Mongolia.

Mahdi

Among Muslims, the last imam or leader of the faithful. The Sunni, the largest sect of the Muslims, believe that he is yet to appear.

Mahdism

Belief in the coming of the Mahdi; fanatical devotion to the cause of the Mahdi or a pretender to that title.

mahimahi

either of two large slender food and game fish (Coryphaena equisetis or Coryphaena hippurus) of warm waters. They are highly esteemed as food fish, especially in Hawaii. See also dolphin{2}.

mahl-stick mahlstick

A long stick that a painter uses to support the hand holding the brush while painting. Same as Maul-stick.

Mahoe

A name given to several malvaceous trees (species of Hibiscus, Ochroma, etc.), and to their strong fibrous inner bark, which is used for strings and cordage.

Maholi

A South African lemur (Galago maholi), having very large ears.

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