hysteresis

[ his-tuh-ree-sis ]

noun

, Physics.

1. the lag in response exhibited by a body in reacting to changes in the forces, especially magnetic forces, affecting it. Compare magnetic hysteresis.
2. the phenomenon exhibited by a system, often a ferromagnetic or imperfectly elastic material, in which the reaction of the system to changes is dependent upon its past reactions to change.

hysteresis

/ ˌhɪstəˈrɛtɪk; ˌhɪstəˈriːsɪs /

noun

1. physics the lag in a variable property of a system with respect to the effect producing it as this effect varies, esp the phenomenon in which the magnetic flux density of a ferromagnetic material lags behind the changing external magnetic field strength

hysteresis

/ hĭs′tə-rē′sĭs /

1. The dependence of the state of a system on the history of its state. For example, the magnetization of a material such as iron depends not only on the magnetic field it is exposed to but on previous exposures to magnetic fields. This “memory” of previous exposure to magnetism is the working principle in audio tape and hard disk devices. Deformations in the shape of substances that last after the deforming force has been removed, as well as phenomena such as supercooling , are examples of hysteresis.

Derived Forms

• ˌhysterˈetically, adverb
• hysteretic, adjective

Other Words From

• hys·ter·et·ic [his-t, uh, -, ret, -ik], hys·ter·e·si·al [his-t, uh, -, ree, -see-, uh, l], adjective
• hyster·eti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteresis¹

1795–1805; < Greek hystérēsis deficiency, state of being behind or late, hence inferior, equivalent to hysterē-, variant stem of hystereîn to come late, lag behind, verbal derivative of hýsteros coming behind + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteresis¹

C19: from Greek husterēsis coming late, from husteros coming after

Example Sentences

Simulations suggest that the hysteresis arose because the initial friction between sticks needed to be overcome before the contact points started to rearrange.

From Science News

A well-known example of hysteresis is presented by the case of permanent magnets.

From Project Gutenberg

The closed figure a c d e a is variously called a hysteresis curve or diagram or loop.

From Project Gutenberg

The effects of temperature upon hysteresis were also carefully studied, and many hysteresis loops were plotted.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence in performing a cycle there is a waste of energy corresponding to what has been termed hysteresis-loss.

From Project Gutenberg

We should expect too—and we find—that hysteresis is more prominent in weak gels than in strong.

From Project Gutenberg