paramagnetic

[ par-uh-mag-net-ik ]

adjective

1. Physics. having the properties of a paramagnet, a body or substance that, placed in a magnetic field, exhibits induced magnetization in direct proportion to the field strength: Compare antiferromagnetic, diamagnetic, ferrimagnetic, ferromagnetic.

   Deoxygenated blood cells are paramagnetic, while oxygenated blood cells are diamagnetic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paramagnetic¹

para- ¹( def ) + magnetic ( def )

Example Sentences

This alignment would otherwise require a powerful magnetic field to activate, since cerium fluoride is naturally paramagnetic with randomly oriented spins even at zero temperature.

From Science Daily

Silver has paramagnetic characteristics, which means that it has magnetic effects that are weak.

From Encyclopedia.com

Topological quantization of the spin Hall effect in two-dimensional paramagnetic semiconductors.

From Nature

At first sight, these states resemble paramagnetic materials, in which spins are disordered in the absence of an external magnetic field.

From Nature

The device consisted of a chamber filled with a paramagnetic fluid - a fluid that is attracted to a magnetic field - with magnets at the top and bottom.

From BBC