Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAG'NA-CHAR-TA, n. [MAG'NA CHAR-TA; L. great charter.]

1. The great charter, so called, obtained by the English barons from king John, A. D. 1215. This name is also given to the charter granted to the people of England in the ninth year of Henry III. and confirmed by Edward I.
2. A fundamental constitution which guaranties rights and privileges.

MAG-NA-NIM'I-TY, n. [L. magnanimitas; magnus, great, and animus, mind.]

Greatness of mind; that elevation or dignity of soul, which encounters danger and trouble with tranquility and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, and makes him delight in acts of benevolence, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to sacrifice personal ease, interest and safety for the accomplishment of useful and noble objects.

MAG-NAN'I-MOUS, a. [L. magnanimus.]

1. Great of mind; elevated in soul or in sentiment; brave; disinterested; as, a magnanimous prince or general.
2. Dictated by magnanimity; exhibiting nobleness of soul; liberal and honorable; not selfish. There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity. Washington.

MAG-NAN'I-MOUS-LY, adv.

With greatness of mind; bravely; with dignity and elevation of sentiment. Milton.

MAG'NATE, n.

A person of rank.

MAG-NA'TES, n. [plur.; L.]

Nobles; grandees.

MAG-NE'SIA, n. [s as z. Fr. magnesie. Qu. from Magnesia, the place where first found. Lunier says, from Gr. μαγνης, the lodestone; but the reason he does not assign.]

A primitive earth, having for its base a metallic substance, called magnesium. It is generally found in combination with other substances. It is antacid, and moderately cathartic. Ure.

MAG-NE'SIAN, a.

Pertaining to magnesia, or partaking of its qualities.

MAG'NE-SITE, n.

Carbonated magnesia, or magnesia combined with silex. It occurs in amorphous masses, or in masses tuberous and spungiform; its color is yellowish gray, or white with spots, and dendritic delineations of blackish brown. Haüy. Cyc.

MAG-NE'SIUM, n.

The undecomposable metallic base of magnesia.

MAG'NET, n. [L. from Gr. μαγνης, taper, from Magnesia, in Asia Minor.]

1. The lodestone; an ore of iron which has the peculiar properties of attracting metallic iron, of pointing to the poles, and of dipping or inclining downward. These properties it communicates to iron by contact. A bar of iron to which these properties are imparted, is called an artificial magnet. Encyc.
2. Steel having magnetic properties.

MAG-NET'IC, or MAG-NET'IC-AL, a.

1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron, or a magnetic needle.
2. Attractive. She that had all magnetic force alone. Donne.

MAG-NET'IC-AL-LY, adv.

By means of magnetism; by the power of attraction. Burton.

MAG-NET'IC-AL-NESS, n.

The quality of being magnetic.

MAG-NET'ICS, n.

The science or principles of magnetism.

MAG-NET-IF'ER-OUS, a.

Producing or conducting magnetism. Journ. of Science.

MAG'NET-ISM, n.

1. That branch of science which treats of the properties of the magnet, the power of the lodestone, &c.
2. Power of attraction; as, the magnetism of interest. Glanville. Animal magnetism, a sympathy supposed to exist between the magnet and the human body, by means of which the magnet is said to be able to cure diseases; or a fluid supposed to exist throughout nature, and to be the medium of influence between celestial bodies, and the earth and human bodies.

MAG-NET-I-ZA'TION, n.

The act of magnetizing.

MAG'NET-IZE, v.i.

To acquire magnetic properties; to become magnetic. A bar of iron standing some time in an inclined position, will magnetize.

MAG'NET-IZE, v.t.

To communicate magnetic properties to any thing; as, to magnetize a needle. Seven of Deslon's patients were magnetized at Dr. Franklin's house. Encyc.

MAG'NET-IZ-ED, pp.

Made magnetic.

MAG'NET-IZ-ING, ppr.

Imparting magnetism to.

MAG-NET-OM'E-TER, n. [Magnet or magnetism, and Gr. μετρον.]

An instrument to ascertain the force of magnetism.

MAG-NET-O-MO'TOR, n. [Magnet and motor.]

A voltaic series of two or more large plates producing a great quantity of electricity.

MAG'NI-FI-A-BLE, a. [See Magnify.]

That may be magnified; worthy of being magnified or extolled. Brown.