Pyrites \Py*ri"tes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? fire. See Pyre.]
(Min.)
A name given to a number of metallic minerals, sulphides of
iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and tin, of a white or
yellowish color.
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Note: The term was originally applied to the mineral pyrite,
or iron pyrites, in allusion to its giving sparks when
struck with steel.
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Arsenical pyrites, arsenopyrite.
Auriferous pyrites. See under Auriferous.
Capillary pyrites, millerite.
Common pyrites, isometric iron disulphide; pyrite.
Hair pyrites, millerite.
Iron pyrites. See Pyrite.
Magnetic pyrites, pyrrhotite.
Tin pyrites, stannite.
White iron pyrites, orthorhombic iron disulphide;
marcasite. This includes cockscomb pyrites (a variety of
marcasite, named in allusion to its form), spear pyrites,
etc.
Yellow pyrites, or Copper pyrites, the sulphide of copper
and iron; chalcopyrite.
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Magnetic \Mag*net"ic\, Magnetical \Mag*net"ic*al\, a. [L.
magneticus: cf. F. magn['e]tique.]
1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the
magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of
iron; a magnetic needle.
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2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by, the earth's
magnetism; as, the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian.
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3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism;
as, the magnetic metals.
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4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the
feelings and to win the affections; attractive; inducing
attachment.
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She that had all magnetic force alone. --Donne.
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5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by, animal magnetism,
so called; hypnotic; as, a magnetic sleep. See
Magnetism. [Archaic]
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Magnetic amplitude, attraction, dip, induction, etc.
See under Amplitude, Attraction, etc.
Magnetic battery, a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets
with the like poles adjacent, so as to act together with
great power.
Magnetic compensator, a contrivance connected with a ship's
compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of the
iron of the ship upon the needle.
Magnetic curves, curves indicating lines of magnetic force,
as in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of
a powerful magnet.
Magnetic elements.
(a) (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as iron, nickel,
cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable
or becoming magnetic.
(b) (Physics) In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the
declination, inclination, and intensity.
(c) See under Element.
Magnetic fluid, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was
formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of
magnetism; -- no longer considered a meaningful concept.
Magnetic iron, or Magnetic iron ore. (Min.) Same as
Magnetite.
Magnetic needle, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and
suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a
delicate fiber, so that it may take freely the direction
of the magnetic meridian. It constitutes the essential
part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the
surveyor's.
Magnetic poles, the two points in the opposite polar
regions of the earth at which the direction of the dipping
needle is vertical.
Magnetic pyrites. See Pyrrhotite.
Magnetic storm (Terrestrial Physics), a disturbance of the
earth's magnetic force characterized by great and sudden
changes.
magnetic tape (Electronics), a ribbon of plastic material
to which is affixed a thin layer of powder of a material
which can be magnetized, such as ferrite. Such tapes are
used in various electronic devices to record fluctuating
voltages, which can be used to represent sounds, images,
or binary data. Devices such as audio casette recorders,
videocasette recorders, and computer data storage devices
use magnetic tape as an inexpensive medium to store data.
Different magnetically susceptible materials are used in
such tapes.
Magnetic telegraph, a telegraph acting by means of a
magnet. See Telegraph.
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