Magnetists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who study or work with magnetic forces and phenomena
2. practitioners involved in the application or theory of magnetism in various fields
3. people who explore the effects of magnets on materials and living organisms

Etymology: "Magnetists" is the plural of "magnetist", which is formed from "magnet" plus the suffix "-ist", meaning one who practises or specialises in something. The base word "magnet" traces back through Middle English "magnete" and Old French "magnete" to Latin "magnēs", which came from Ancient Greek "mágnēs" (μάγνης). The Greek term is traditionally linked to Magnesia, a region in Asia Minor where the mineral lodestone was found, though that connection is uncertain. The suffix does the work here. It descends from Ancient Greek "-istēs", used for agents who practise a craft or doctrine, passed into Latin as "-ista", then through Old French "-iste" into Middle English "-ist". Its earlier history is simply one more chain of borrowings, so a word like this is best read as a straightforward combination: a noun for the substance, plus a suffix for the person who works with it.