magnetite

[ mag-ni-tahyt ]

noun

1. a very common black iron oxide mineral, Fe 3 O 4 , that is strongly attracted by magnets: an important iron ore.

magnetite

/ ˈmæɡnɪˌtaɪt; ˌmæɡnɪˈtɪtɪk /

noun

1. a black magnetic mineral, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and as a separate deposit. It is a source of iron. Composition: iron oxide. Formula: Fe 3 O 4 . Crystal structure: cubic

magnetite

/ măg′nĭ-tīt′ /

1. A brown to black mineral that is strongly magnetic. It crystallizes in the cubic system and commonly occurs as small octahedrons. Magnetite occurs in many different types of rock and is an important source of iron. Chemical formula: Fe 3 O 4 .

Derived Forms

• magnetitic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnetite¹

1850–55; magnet + -ite ¹; compare German Magnetit

Example Sentences

One particularly interesting finding was that small mineral grains called framboids, composed of magnetite, a form of iron oxide, had completely lost their normal magnetic properties.

From Science Daily

The researchers found that magnetite induced an immune response in the mice and in the human neuronal cells in the lab.

From Science Daily

For instance, all species coat their teeth in the iron mineral magnetite, making them the hardest material created by a living organism.

From Science Daily

The iron nitride was observed on the surface of magnetite, which consists of iron and oxygen atoms.

From Science Daily

To find out, they turned to magnetite, a magnetic mineral that is common in Earth’s crust.

From Science Magazine