MAG'NETISM, noun That branch of science which treats of the properties of the magnet, the power of the lodestone, etc. 1. Power of attraction; as the magnetism of interest. Animal magnetism a sympathy supposed to exist between the magnet and the human body, by means of which the magnet is said to be able to cure diseases; or a fluid supposed to exist throughout nature, and to be the medium of influence between celestial bodies, and the earth and human bodies.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI