磁极 (cí jí) — magnetic pole

Definition

One of the two ends of a magnet where magnetic force is strongest — the north or south pole. Usually discussed in scientific contexts about magnetism and the Earth's magnetic field.

noun
magnetic pole
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 磁极。
    Dì qiú de cí jí bú shì gù dìng bú biàn de.
    The Earth's magnetic poles are not fixed.
  • 磁极。
    Zhǐ nán zhēn de zhǐ zhēn zhǐ xiàng cí jí.
    The compass needle points to the magnetic pole.
  • 磁极。
    Tóng míng de cí jí hù xiāng pái chì.
    Like magnetic poles repel each other.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

磁címagnetic
极jípole

'磁' refers to magnetism and '极' to an end or pole, together meaning magnetic pole.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
石石shírock; stone
Sound part声符shēngfú
兹
兹zī磁cí
Same sound today

磁 is built from 石, meaning rock or stone, and 兹, which gives the sound.

Open 磁 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree, wood
Sound part声符shēngfú
及
及jí极jí
Same sound today

极 pairs 木 (tree, wood) with 及, which provides the sound.

Open 极 →

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