Definition

To become stronger or harder, often through a process of heating and cooling.

Example

The metal will anneal when it is heated and then slowly cooled.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I feel like my ideas really need time to anneal before I share them.

That makes sense; sometimes you just need to let them simmer.

Exactly! It's like letting your thoughts anneal into something stronger.

For sure! It can really help clarify what you want to say.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To heat and then cool a material, like glass or metal, to make it stronger and less brittle.

Example

The blacksmith will anneal the metal to improve its durability.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you know that you can anneal metal to make it stronger?

Really? I had no idea that heating it could change its properties like that.

Yeah, it's pretty cool! They also anneal glass to make it less brittle.

Root Explanation

Anneal → It originates from the Old English 'anælan', meaning to heat or to set fire to. The word describes the process of heating metal to remove stresses and improve its properties.

Memory Tip

Imagine heating metal to make it stronger — that's what annealing does, and it comes from the Old English word for heating.

Visually Confused Words