from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Paramagnetism \Par`a*mag"net*ism\, n. (Physics)
A property of materials which are not magnetized in the
absence of an external magnetic field, but in which the
magnetic moments of their constituents align with and enhance
an applied magnetic field; the induced magnetic field of the
substance is in direct proportion to the strength of the
applied magnetic field; -- opposed to {diamagnetic} and
contrasted with {ferromagnetic}. --Faraday.
[1913 Webster]