lodestone

Alternative forms

• loadstone

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. A naturally occurring magnet.
2. (obsolete) The mineral magnetite.

Further reading

• David Barthelmy (1997–2024) “Lodestone”, in Webmineral Mineralogy Database.
• “lodestone”, in Mindat.org‎, Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, 2000–2024.

Anagrams

• enstooled