lodestone

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

First attested from 1515, from Middle English lode (guide) + stone. From use as a guide tool by mariners. See also: lodestar.

Pronunciation

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈloʊdˌstoʊn/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

lodestone (plural lodestones)

  1. (obsolete) The mineral magnetite.
  2. Any naturally occurring magnet.
  3. (by extension) The focus of one's attraction or attention
    an ideological lodestone

Translations

Further reading

  • David Barthelmy (1997–2025) “Lodestone”, in Webmineral Mineralogy Database.
  • lodestone”, in Mindat.org[1], Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, 2000–2025.

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