magnetize, v.
(ˈmægnɪtaɪz)
[f. magnet + -ize.]
1. trans. To charge or supply with magnetic properties.
| 1801 Encycl. Brit. Suppl. II. 133/2 The most simple method of magnetising a steel bar. 1831 Brewster Optics x. 92 The violet rays..had the power of magnetising small steel needles. 1894 S. R. Bottone Electr. Instr. Making (ed. 6) 215 If, therefore, we wind our field magnets with about 6 lbs. No. 20= 12·5 ohms, we shall get a sufficient number of turns on to magnetise them efficiently. |
2. intr. To become magnetic.
| In mod. Dicts. |
3. trans. To attract as a magnet does. Chiefly fig. (with mixture of sense 4), to subdue or win by personal charm.
| 1836 Edin. Rev. LXII. 310 The noblest associations, thus insensibly introduced into the mind, magnetize it anew. 1842 Tennyson Talking Oak 255, I kiss it twice, I kiss it thrice, The warmth it thence shall win To riper life may magnetise The baby-oak within. 1847 Disraeli Tancred iv. iii, You will magnetise the Queen as you have magnetised me. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serm. vi. 141 External Nature is..an enchantress who magnetises the human spirit. |
4. To influence by ‘animal magnetism’; to mesmerize. Also fig.
| 1785 Mesmer's Aphorisms 11 The operation must be repeated, till you have magnetized every side of the plant. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 450/1 Seven of Deslon's patients were magnetised at Dr. Franklin's house. 1849 S. R. Maitland Illustr. Mesmerism 74 M. Renard..had requested that Adèle the clairvoyante might, while in her sleep, magnetise a little bottle of water for him. 1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 189 You must magnetize him many times to get him en rapport with a jest. |
Hence ˈmagnetized ppl. a. (also absol.); ˈmagnetizing vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1787 F. Burney Diary 19 June, He whispered..that..he intended to introduce magnetizing. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 450/1 A magnetised tree was said to produce convulsions. 1830 Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. 57 Masks of magnetized steel wire are..adapted to the faces of the workmen. 1834 Penny Cycl. II. 33/1 The mode of bringing the magnetised under the influence of the magnetic fluid was peculiar. 1843 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 27 The magnetizing action of transitory electric currents. 1877 Academy 3 Nov. 428/1 In an article on the magnetising of animals, Herr Preyer investigates the physiological effects [etc.]. 1880 J. E. H. Gordon Electr. & Magn. I. 147 The magnetized bar. |