| 释义 |
† magnes Obs.
Also 4 erron. magnas.
[L. magnēs = Gr. ὁ Μάγνης λίθος, the Magnesian stone, magnet.]
A magnet, loadstone.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvi. vii. (1495) 557 Though the magnas drawyth yren to itself: the admas drawyth it away fro the magnas. Ibid. lxii. 573 It semyth that the ymage hangyth in the ayre by the myghte and vertue of the stone magnes. 1559W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 161 Thys is a merveilous nedle, whiche beinge touched, (as I heare) onlye with the Magnes shoulde knowe to turne alwaye to the North pole. a1586Sidney Arcadia ii. (1590) 113 b, As a perfect Magnes, though put in an iuorie boxe, will thorow the boxe send forth his imbraced vertue to a beloued needle. a1677Hale Prim. Orig. Man. iv. iv. 329 In this lower World there seems many things directed to the special use of Mankind..the Metals of Silver, Gold, Copper, the very Situation of the Seas, the Magnes. 1750tr. Leonardus' Mirr. Stones 206.
b. attrib.: magnes-stone, in the same sense.
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvi. lxii. (1495) 573 There ben mountayns of suche magnes stones and they drawe to them and breke shippes that ben nayled with yren. a1586Sidney Arcadia iii. (1590) 267 As if the sight of the enimie had bene a Magnes stone to his courage. 1590Spenser F.Q. ii. xii. 4. 1625 Purchas Pilgrims ii. 1487 There is neither Iron or Steele, or the Magnes Stone that should so make the Tombe of Mahomet to hang in the Ayre.
c. transf. Magnetic virtue.
1664Evelyn Sylva 33 There is such a Magnes in this simple Tree as does manifestly draw to it self some occult, and wonderful virtue.
d. Applied to each of the poles.
a1653G. Daniel Idyll v. 164 His temper'd Earth, whips (as you Agitate The Ayre) to either Magnes, This, or That. |