Word
maxwell
Phoneticsmax·well
US/ˈmækˌswɛɫ/
UK/mˈækswɛl/
Definitions
01the physicist
n. James Clerk Maxwell, a famous Scottish scientist who discovered how light, electricity, and magnetism work together.
n. refers to James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879), the Scottish physicist responsible for the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation.
“In physics class, we studied Maxwell's equations for electromagnetism.”
“Maxwell's synthesis of electricity, magnetism, and light remains one of the most significant achievements in nineteenth-century theoretical physics.”
02unit of magnetic flux
n. a very small unit used to measure magnetism in a specific scientific system.
n. the centimetre-gram-second (CGS) unit of magnetic flux, equivalent to one line of induction or 10⁻⁸ webers.
“The old textbook measured the magnetic field strength in maxwells.”
“While modern researchers use the weber, historical laboratory notes often record magnetic flux in maxwells, requiring a conversion factor of 10⁻⁸.”
Technical
Usage
The term is largely superseded by the 'weber' in the International System of Units (SI).
03a person's name
n. a common first name for men or a last name.
n. a masculine given name or a habitational surname of Scottish origin.
“Maxwell invited us to his house for dinner on Saturday.”
“The surname Maxwell is derived from a location near Melrose in Scotland, originally meaning 'Maccas's spring'.”
Etymology
From an earlier form Mackeswell, meaning "Mack's well or spring", from Old English welle (“well”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.