diamagnetic

[ dahy-uh-mag-net-ik ]
/ ˌdaɪ ə mægˈnɛt ɪk /

adjective Physics.

of or relating to a class of substances, as bismuth and copper, whose permeability is less than that of a vacuum: in a magnetic field, their induced magnetism is in a direction opposite to that of iron.
Compare antiferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, ferromagnetic, paramagnetic.

Origin of diamagnetic

First recorded in 1840–50; dia- + magnetic

OTHER WORDS FROM diamagnetic

di·a·mag·net·i·cal·ly, adverb di·a·mag·net·ism [dahy-uh-mag-ni-tiz-uh m] /ˌdaɪ əˈmæg nɪˌtɪz əm/, noun

Words nearby diamagnetic

dialyzate, dialyze, dialyzer, diam., diamagnet, diamagnetic, diamagnetism, diamantiferous, diamantina, diamantine, diamanté

Example sentences from the Web for diamagnetism

British Dictionary definitions for diamagnetism (1 of 2)

diamagnetism
/ (ˌdaɪəˈmæɡnɪˌtɪzəm) /

noun

the phenomenon exhibited by substances that have a relative permeability less than unity and a negative susceptibility. It is caused by the orbital motion of electrons in the atoms of the material and is unaffected by temperature Compare ferromagnetism, paramagnetism

British Dictionary definitions for diamagnetism (2 of 2)

diamagnetic
/ (ˌdaɪəmæɡˈnɛtɪk) /

adjective

of, exhibiting, or concerned with diamagnetism

Derived forms of diamagnetic

diamagnetically, adverb

Scientific definitions for diamagnetism

diamagnetism
[ dī′ə-măg′nĭ-tĭz′əm ]

The property of being repelled by both poles of a magnet. Most substances commonly considered to be nonmagnetic, such as water, are actually diamagnetic. Though diamagnetism is a very weak effect compared with ferromagnetism and paramagnetism, it can be used to levitate objects. Compare ferromagnetism paramagnetism. See also Lenz's law.

Other words from diamagnetism

diamagnetic adjective (dī′ə-măg-nĕt′ĭk)