any of a group of ferromagnetic highly resistive ceramic compounds with the formula MFe2O4, where M is usually a metal such as cobalt or zinc
2.
any of the body-centred cubic allotropes of iron, such as alpha iron, occurring in steel, cast iron, etc
3.
any of various microscopic grains, probably composed of iron compounds, in certain igneous rocks
Word origin
C19: from ferri- + -ite1
ferrite in American English
(ˈfɛrˌaɪt)
noun
1.
one of the forms of pure metallic iron, having high magnetic permeability and occurring as a constituent of ordinary iron and steel
2.
any of various ceramic, magnetic materials with poor electrical conductivity, containing ferric oxide and another metallic oxide: used in recording tape and computer memories
3. Geology
a grain, scale, or bit of red, brown, or yellow iron oxide in a rock