The word “anneal” is not a commonly used word in everyday language, but it is an important term in the field of metallurgy and materials science. It refers to a process of heating and cooling a material, usually a metal or glass, in order to make it stronger or more durable. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of anneal, its origin, and its associations in different contexts.
Definitions
The verb “anneal” means to heat a material, usually a metal or glass, to a specific temperature and then cool it slowly in order to make it stronger or more durable. This process can also remove internal stresses and improve the material’s ductility. The noun “annealing” refers to the process itself, or to the state of the material after it has been annealed.
Origin
The word “anneal” comes from the Old English word “onǣlan,” which means to set on fire or kindle. It was originally used to describe the process of heating metal to make it malleable for shaping or forging. The modern usage of the term as a process of strengthening or hardening metal dates back to the 17th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, anneal means “to heat and then cool (a material, such as steel or glass) usually for softening and making less brittle.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “to subject (metal, glass, etc.) to a process of heating and slow cooling, in order to toughen it, reduce its brittleness, or remove internal stresses.”
Associations
Annealing is a common process in the manufacturing of metal parts, particularly in the aerospace and automotive industries. It is also used in the production of glass, where it can improve the material’s strength and transparency. Annealing is often used in conjunction with other processes such as quenching, tempering, and forging.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for anneal include temper, harden, strengthen, toughen, and fortify. These terms all describe processes that make a material stronger or more durable.
Antonyms
The opposite of annealing would be a process that makes a material weaker or more brittle. Some antonyms for anneal might include weaken, soften, or deteriorate.
The same root words
The word “anneal” shares a root with several other words related to fire and heat. These include “ignite,” “inflammable,” “incendiary,” and “conflagration.”
Example Sentences
- The metal parts were annealed to make them stronger and more resistant to wear and tear.
- The glass was annealed to improve its clarity and reduce the risk of cracking or breaking.
- The blacksmith annealed the steel before shaping it into a horseshoe.
- The annealing process can take several hours, depending on the size and thickness of the material.
- The company invested in new annealing equipment to improve the quality and durability of their products.