ferrosoferric oxide
Chemistry
noun
A black oxide of iron containing the element in both the ferrous and ferric states (oxidation numbers +2 and +3), which occurs especially as the mineral magnetite or lodestone, has ferrimagnetic properties, and is made artificially for use as a black pigment.
- Systematic name: iron (ii, iii) oxide, Fe3O4..
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Thomas Thomson (1773–1852), chemist.