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lodestone
lodestone, or loadstone, the seaman's name for magnetic oxide of iron. It is said that the ancient Chinese discovered that, when freely suspended, it would point to the north, and therefore used it to form the earliest crude magnetic compass. Recent research suggests that this was not the case, although the Chinese were probably aware that a soft-iron bar, stroked with a lodestone, acquired a directional north–south property. There was, however, a long way to go before mariners were able to harness this directional property to a compass card. Presumably it was given its name from the old English lad, as did lodeman and lodestar. Hitchens, H., and and May, W. , From Lodestone to Gyro-Compass (1954).
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"lodestone." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lodestone." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-lodestone.html "lodestone." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-lodestone.html |
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Lodestone (or Loadstone)
Lodestone (or Loadstone)A magnetic stone of magnetite (oxide of iron) showing polarity when suspended. It was once believed to possess magical properties of various kinds. If one was ill, the stone should be held in the hands and shaken well. It was said to cure wounds, snakebites, weak eyes, headaches, and defective hearing. The possessor of the lodestone was supposed to be able to walk through reptiles in safety even when they were accompanied by "black death." Orpheus stated that "with this stone you can hear the voices of the gods and learn many wonderful things," that it had the property of unfolding the future, and if held close to the eyes, it would inspire with a divine spirit. |
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"Lodestone (or Loadstone)." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Lodestone (or Loadstone)." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403802815.html "Lodestone (or Loadstone)." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403802815.html |
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lodestone
lode·stone / ˈlōdˌstōn/ • n. a piece of magnetite or other naturally magnetized mineral, able to be used as a magnet. ∎ a mineral of this kind; magnetite. ∎ fig. a thing that is the focus of attention or attraction. |
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"lodestone." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lodestone." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-lodestone.html "lodestone." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-lodestone.html |
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lodestone
lodestone a piece of magnetite or other naturally magnetized mineral, able to be used as a magnet. Recorded from the early 16th century, the word means literally ‘way-stone’, from the use of the magnet in guiding mariners.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "lodestone." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "lodestone." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-lodestone.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "lodestone." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-lodestone.html |
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lodestone
lodestone see magnetite . |
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"lodestone." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lodestone." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-lodeston.html "lodestone." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-lodeston.html |
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lodestone
lodestone See MAGNETITE.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "lodestone." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "lodestone." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-lodestone.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "lodestone." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-lodestone.html |
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lodestone
lodestone •flagstone, ragstone
•Blackstone, jackstone
•sandstone • capstone • hearthstone
•headstone • gemstone • whetstone
•hailstone • gravestone
•freestone, keystone
•greenstone • Wheatstone
•Tinseltown • ringtone • pitchstone
•millstone • whinstone • siltstone
•holystone • semitone
•stepping stone • coping stone
•baritone • acetone • dulcitone
•tritone • drystone • milestone
•limestone
•grindstone, rhinestone
•cobblestone • gallstone • brownstone
•lodestone • soapstone • duotone
•microtone • bluestone • tombstone
•moonstone • touchstone
•bloodstone, mudstone
•sunstone • ironstone • undertone
•monotone • cornerstone
•Silverstone • overtone
•kerbstone (US curbstone)
•turnstone
•birthstone • flavone • endzone
•cortisone • ozone
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"lodestone." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lodestone." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-lodestone.html "lodestone." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-lodestone.html |
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