south-seeking pole
- noun
- Specialized
- If you suspend a bar magnet freely, its south-seeking pole will always align with the Earth's south pole.
Examples
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If you suspend a bar magnet, its south-seeking pole will point toward the Earth's south.
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The south-seeking pole of the magnet was attracted to the terrestrial south.
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Scientists marked the south-seeking pole with red tape for identification.
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The south-seeking pole is important.
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A south-seeking pole points south.
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In experiments, the researchers observed how the south-seeking pole of the magnet reacts to various metals.
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When you hold the magnet horizontally, the south-seeking pole faces downward toward the Earth's south.
Synonyms
The end of a magnet that points toward the Earth's south
The end of a magnet that points toward the Earth's south
Antonyms
- Specialized
The end of a magnet that points toward Earth's north when it hangs freely
Surface Forms
Morphology
south-seeking + pole
The expression is fully compositional: 'south-seeking' describes something that seeks or points toward the south and 'pole' names an end of a magnet, so the overall meaning ('the pole that points toward the south') is directly derivable from the parts. This follows normal adjective+noun formation and matches common cross-linguistic compass terminology, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily understand it.
Etymology
South-seeking pole comes from the simple picture of a magnet hanging freely: the end or pole that seems to 'seek' south turns to point that way. That's why the name means the magnet end that 'points toward the south'.