ferromagnetism
|fer-ro-mag-net-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌfɛroʊˈmæɡnəˌtɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌferəʊˈmæɡnətɪzəm/
iron-based strong magnetism
Etymology
'ferromagnetism' originates from New Latin/modern scientific English, specifically combining the prefix 'ferro-' from Latin 'ferrum' meaning 'iron' and 'magnetism' from Greek 'magnēs' meaning 'lodestone' (through Latin/Greek scientific vocabulary).
'ferromagnetism' was formed in the 19th century as a compound of 'ferro-' + 'magnetism' (from earlier terms like 'ferromagnetic' and Neo-Latin formations) and entered scientific English to name the phenomenon observed in iron and related metals.
Initially coined to describe the strong magnetic behavior associated with iron-containing materials, the term's meaning has remained focused on that specific type of magnetic ordering and related phenomena in solid-state physics.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the property of certain materials (notably iron, cobalt, nickel and some alloys) by which they exhibit strong, long-range ordering of magnetic moments, can form permanent magnets, or are strongly attracted to magnets.
Ferromagnetism explains why iron and nickel can retain magnetic orientation after an external magnetic field is removed.
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Last updated: 2025/10/28 18:25