magneto

¹

[ mag-nee-toh ]

noun

, Electricity.

, plural mag·ne·tos.

1. a small electric generator with an armature that rotates in a magnetic field provided by permanent magnets, as a generator supplying ignition current for certain types of internal combustion engines or a hand-operated generator for telephone signaling.

magneto-

²

1. a combining form representing magnetic or magnetism in compound words:

   magnetochemistry.

magneto

¹

/ mæɡˈniːtəʊ /

noun

1. a small electric generator in which the magnetic field is produced by a permanent magnet, esp one for providing the spark in an internal-combustion engine

magneto-

²

combining_form

1. indicating magnetism or magnetic properties

   magnetosphere

Word History and Origins

Origin of magneto¹

First recorded in 1880–85; short for magnetoelectric generator

Word History and Origins

Origin of magneto¹

C19: short for magnetoelectric generator

Example Sentences

He is also a fixture of the silver screen, including his roles as Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” movies, as well as Magneto in the “X-Men” series.

From New York Times

With its classic characters — like the surly Wolverine, always ready with an angry quip, and the menacing Magneto — its steady stream of action sequences and ever-progressing plots, the show was riveting enough to draw in young viewers and yet loyal enough to the original comic books to appease older fans like my father, who would give footnotes on every episode as we watched.

From New York Times

Those among the X-Men who were disillusioned with humanity’s continued refusal to accept them joined their former foe Magneto, ready to let Earth perish along with Bastion and his powerful mechanical army and human sleeper agents rather than try to save it.

From Los Angeles Times

At the forefront of “X-Men ’97’s” final episodes has been Xavier and his former best friend Magneto’s opposing philosophies regarding human-mutant relations.

From Los Angeles Times

Magneto, a Holocaust survivor who is often the X-Men’s adversary, doesn’t believe humanity is capable of accepting mutants.

From Los Angeles Times