paramagnet

[par-uh-mag-nit, par-uh-mag-] /ˌpær əˈmæg nɪt, ˈpær əˌmæg-/
noun, Physics.
1.
a body or substance that, placed in a magnetic field, possesses magnetization in direct proportion to the field strength; a substance in which the magnetic moments of the atoms are not aligned.
Compare antiferromagnetic, diamagnetic, ferromagnetic.
Origin
1905-10; back formation from paramagnetic; see para-1, magnet
Related forms
paramagnetism, noun
paramagnetic
[par-uh-mag-net-ik] /ˌpær ə mægˈnɛt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
British Dictionary definitions for paramagnetism

paramagnetism

/ˌpærəˈmæɡnɪˌtɪzəm/
noun
1.
(physics) the phenomenon exhibited by substances that have a relative permeability slightly greater than unity and a positive susceptibility. The effect is due to the alignment of unpaired spins of electrons in atoms of the material Compare diamagnetism, ferromagnetism
Derived Forms
paramagnetic (ˌpærəmæɡˈnɛtɪk) adjective
paramagnetism in Science
paramagnetism
(pār'ə-māg'nĭ-tĭz'əm)
The property of being weakly attracted to either pole of a magnet. Paramagnetic materials, such as aluminum and platinum, become slightly magnetized when exposed to a magnetic field, but they lose their magnetism when the field is removed. When these materials are magnetized by a nearby magnet, the orientation of their north and sole poles results in their being attracted to the closest pole of the magnet. Compare diamagnetism, ferromagnetism.