anneal
to heat (glass, earthenware, metals, etc.) to remove or prevent internal stress.
to free from internal stress by heating and gradually cooling.
to toughen or temper.
Biochemistry. to recombine (nucleic acid strands) at low temperature after separating by heat.
to fuse colors onto (a vitreous or metallic surface) by heating.
an act, instance, or product of annealing.
Origin of anneal
1Other words from anneal
- an·neal·er, noun
- un·an·nealed, adjective
Words Nearby anneal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use anneal in a sentence
As the hammering hardens the metal it is necessary to anneal it each time after going over the surface.
Copper Work | Augustus F. RoseAs the hammering goes on the metal becomes brittle and hard, and then it is passed though the fire to anneal or soften it.
Malleable or wrought iron, if subjected to pressure, becomes brittle, and it is necessary to anneal it.
Practical Mechanics for Boys | J. S. ZerbeThrow an asbestos rag over the joint, loosen one pair of the clamps slightly, and leave the joint to anneal.
On Laboratory Arts | Richard ThrelfallWhen the colours are properly burnt in, the fire is suffered to die away, so as to anneal the glass.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines | Andrew Ure
British Dictionary definitions for anneal
/ (əˈniːl) /
to temper or toughen (something) by heat treatment
to subject to or undergo some physical treatment, esp heating, that removes internal stress, crystal defects, and dislocations
(tr) to toughen or strengthen (the will, determination, etc)
(often foll by out) physics to disappear or cause to disappear by a rearrangement of atoms: defects anneal out at different temperatures
an act of annealing
Origin of anneal
1Derived forms of anneal
- annealer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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