zeilsteen

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch seilsteen. Equivalent to zeilen +‎ steen. Named after the use of magnets in compasses for navigation.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈzɛi̯lsteːn/
  • Audio(file)
  • Hyphenation: zeil‧steen

Noun

zeilsteen m (plural zeilstenen, diminutive zeilsteentje n)

  1. magnetite, lodestone (Fe3O4)
  2. lodestone, natural or magnet (clarification of this definition is needed)
  3. (metonymically, obsolete) compass
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