magneto

noun, plural mag·ne·tos. Electricity.

1. a small electric generator with an armature that rotates in a magnetic field provided by permanent magnets, as a generator supplying ignition current for certain types of internal combustion engines or a hand-operated generator for telephone signaling.

1. a combining form representing magnetic or magnetism in compound words: magnetochemistry.

noun plural -tos

1. a small electric generator in which the magnetic field is produced by a permanent magnet, esp one for providing the spark in an internal-combustion engine

combining form

1. indicating magnetism or magnetic propertiesmagnetosphere

n.1882, short for magneto-electric machine (see magneto-). word-forming element meaning “magnetic, magnetism,” from Greek magneto-, combining form of magnes (see magnet).