lodestone

• loadstone

First attested from 1515, from Middle English lode (“guide”) + stone. From use as a guide tool by mariners. See also: lodestar.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈloʊdˌstoʊn/

• Audio (US):

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lodestone (plural lodestones)

1. (obsolete) The mineral magnetite.
2. Any naturally occurring magnet.
3. (by extension) The focus of one's attraction or attention

   an ideological lodestone

• David Barthelmy (1997–2025), “Lodestone”, in Webmineral Mineralogy Database.
• “lodestone”, in Mindat.org‎^[1], Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, 2000–2025.

• enstooled