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Where does the word "magnet" come from? It comes from Greek Magnetis lithos, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "magnet" come from? It comes from Greek Magnetis lithos, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).
Magnet’s story begins in Greek: Magnetis lithos meant “the Magnesian stone.” Literally the stone of Magnesia, a region rich in naturally magnetic rock. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as magnete. Shortened for the naturally magnetic mineral. It reached English by 1300s as magnet. Settled as the word for anything with magnetic properties. Today, magnet means an object that produces a magnetic field, or something that attracts.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient Magnetis lithos "the Magnesian stone", literally the stone of Magnesia, a region rich in naturally magnetic rock.
- Stage 2 · Latin · ancient magnete "lodestone, magnetic rock", shortened for the naturally magnetic mineral.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s magnet "an object that attracts iron", settled as the word for anything with magnetic properties.