calamita

magnet

noun kah-lah-MEE-tah Rare

Origin: Medieval Latin calamita, possibly from Greek kalamites (reed-like), referring to lodestone.

Usage Note

Calamita is the everyday word for a magnet — both the physical object and figuratively someone or something that attracts people. Do not confuse with calamità (with written accent, meaning 'disaster' or 'calamity') — the accent changes the meaning entirely. Calamita has a regular plural: calamite.

Examples

"La calamita tiene il biglietto sul frigorifero."

Natural Translation

The magnet holds the note on the fridge.

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