ma g|net|ic fie ld (magnetic fields ) N‑COUNT A magnetic field is an area around a magnet, or something functioning as a magnet, in which the magnet's power to attract things is felt.
ma g|net|ic ta pe (magnetic tapes ) N‑VAR Magnetic tape is plastic tape covered with iron oxide or a similar magnetic substance. It is used for recording sounds, film, or computer information.
mag|net|ism /mæ gn I t I zəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Someone or something that has magnetism has unusual, powerful, and exciting qualities which attract people to them. □ There was no doubting the animal magnetism of the man.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Magnetism is the natural power of some objects and substances, especially iron, to attract other objects towards them.
mag|net|ize /mæ gn I ta I z/ (magnetizes , magnetizing , magnetized ) in BRIT, also use magnetise VERB If you magnetize something, you make it magnetic. □ [V n] Make a Mobius strip out of a ribbon of mild steel and magnetise it. □ [V -ed] …a small metal chessboard with magnetized playing pieces.
ma g|net schoo l (magnet schools ) N‑COUNT A magnet school is a state-funded school, usually in a poor area, which is given extra resources in order to attract new pupils from other areas and help improve the school's performance. [JOURNALISM ]
mag|ni|fi|ca|tion /mæ gn I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (magnifications )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Magnification is the act or process of magnifying something. □ Pores are visible without magnification.
2 N‑VAR Magnification is the degree to which a lens, mirror, or other device can magnify an object, or the degree to which the object is magnified. □ The electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to produce images at high magnifications.
mag|nifi|cent /mægn I f I sənt/ ADJ If you say that something or someone is magnificent , you mean that you think they are extremely good, beautiful, or impressive. □ …a magnificent country house in wooded grounds. □ …magnificent views over the San Fernando Valley. ● mag|nifi|cence N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the magnificence of the Swiss mountains. ● mag|nifi|cent|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed] □ The team played magnificently throughout the competition.
mag|ni|fy /mæ gn I fa I / (magnifies , magnifying , magnified )
1 VERB To magnify an object means to make it appear larger than it really is, by means of a special lens or mirror. □ [V n n] This version of the Digges telescope magnifies images 11 times. □ [V n] A lens would magnify the picture so it would be like looking at a large TV screen. □ [V -ing] …magnifying lenses.
2 VERB To magnify something means to increase its effect, size, loudness, or intensity. □ [V n] Their noises were magnified in the still, wet air.
3 VERB If you magnify something, you make it seem more important or serious than it really is. □ [V n] They do not grasp the broad situation and spend their time magnifying ridiculous details.
ma g|ni|fy|ing glass (magnifying glasses ) N‑COUNT A magnifying glass is a piece of glass which makes objects appear bigger than they actually are.
mag|ni|tude /mæ gn I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you talk about the magnitude of something, you are talking about its great size, scale, or importance. □ An operation of this magnitude is going to be difficult.
2 PHRASE You can use order of magnitude when you are giving an approximate idea of the amount or importance of something. □ America and Russia do not face a problem of the same order of magnitude as Japan.
mag|no|lia /mægnoʊ liə/ (magnolias ) N‑VAR A magnolia is a kind of tree with white, pink, yellow, or purple flowers.
mag|num /mæ gnəm/ (magnums ) N‑COUNT A magnum is a wine bottle holding the equivalent of two normal bottles, approximately 1.5 litres. □ [+ of ] …a magnum of champagne.
ma g|num o pus N‑SING [oft poss N ] A magnum opus is the greatest or most important work produced by a writer, artist, musician, or academic. □ …Gadamer's magnum opus 'Truth and Method'.
mag|pie /mæ gpa I / (magpies ) N‑COUNT A magpie is a large black and white bird with a long tail.
ma|ha|ra|ja /mɑː hərɑː dʒə/ (maharajas ) also maharajah N‑COUNT A maharaja is the head of one of the royal families that used to rule parts of India.
ma|hoga|ny /məhɒ gəni/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Mahogany is a dark reddish-brown wood that is used to make furniture. □ …mahogany tables and chairs.
maid /me I d/ (maids )
1 N‑COUNT A maid is a woman who works as a servant in a hotel or private house. □ A maid brought me breakfast at half past eight.
2 → see also old maid
maid|en /me I d ə n/ (maidens )
1 N‑COUNT A maiden is a young girl or woman. [LITERARY ] □ …stories of noble princes and their brave deeds on behalf of beautiful maidens.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] The maiden voyage or flight of a ship or aircraft is the first official journey that it makes. □ In 1912, the Titanic sank on her maiden voyage.
mai d|en au nt (maiden aunts ) N‑COUNT A maiden aunt is an aunt who is not married. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
mai d|en name (maiden names ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] A married woman's maiden name is her parents' surname, which she used before she got married and started using her husband's surname.
mai d|en spee ch (maiden speeches ) N‑COUNT A politician's maiden speech is the first speech that he or she makes in parliament after becoming a member of it. [BRIT ]
mai d of ho n|our (maids of honour ) N‑COUNT A maid of honour is the chief bridesmaid at a wedding. [AM ]