Annealed is a term that is often used in the field of metallurgy and refers to a process of heating and cooling metal in order to make it more ductile and less brittle. However, the term has also found its way into other fields and has come to be associated with a variety of meanings. In this article, we will explore the various definitions and meanings of annealed, as well as its origins and associations.
Definitions
In the context of metallurgy, annealed refers to a process of heating and cooling metal in order to make it more ductile and less brittle. This process involves heating the metal to a specific temperature, holding it at that temperature for a certain period of time, and then cooling it slowly. The result is a metal that is easier to work with and less likely to crack or break.
However, annealed can also refer to a variety of other processes and situations. For example, it can refer to a process of heating glass in order to remove internal stresses and make it more durable. It can also refer to a process of heating ceramics in order to improve their strength and durability.
In a more general sense, annealed can refer to any process of heating and cooling in order to change the properties of a material. This can include processes such as tempering, quenching, and normalization.
Origin
The word annealed comes from the Old English word anǣlan, which means to make soft or pliable. The term was first used in the context of metallurgy in the 16th century, but its origins can be traced back much further.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of annealed can vary slightly depending on the dictionary you consult. Here are a few examples:
- Merriam-Webster defines annealed as “to heat and then cool (a material, such as steel or glass) usually for softening and making less brittle.”
- Oxford English Dictionary defines annealed as “to heat (metal or glass) and allow it to cool slowly, in order to remove internal stresses and toughen it.”
- Dictionary.com defines annealed as “to heat (glass, earthenware, metals, etc.) to remove or prevent internal stress.”
Associations
In addition to its association with metallurgy, annealed is also often associated with the idea of making something stronger or more durable. This can include anything from glass to ceramics to metal.
Additionally, annealed is often associated with the idea of precision and attention to detail. The process of annealing requires careful monitoring of temperature and cooling rates in order to achieve the desired result.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for annealed include:
- Tempered.
- Quenched.
- Normalized.
- Strengthened.
- Toughened.
Antonyms
Some antonyms for annealed include:
- Brittle.
- Fragile.
- Weak.
- Stressed.
- Unstable.
The same root words
There are several words that share the same root as annealed, including:
- Anesthesia.
- Anemic.
- Anodyne.
- Anoint.
Example Sentences
Here are a few example sentences that use the word annealed:
- The metal was annealed in order to make it easier to bend and shape.
- The glass was annealed in order to make it more durable and resistant to breakage.
- The ceramic was annealed in order to improve its strength and resistance to cracking.
- The steel was annealed and then quenched in order to make it stronger and less brittle.