1 hystereses | Definition of hystereses

hysteresis

noun
hys·​ter·​e·​sis | \ ËŒhi-stÉ™-ˈrÄ“-sÉ™s How to pronounce hysteresis (audio) \
plural hystereses\ ËŒhi-​stÉ™-​ˈrÄ“-​ËŒsÄ“z How to pronounce hystereses (audio) \

Definition of hysteresis

physics : a retardation of an effect when the forces acting upon a body are changed (as if from viscosity or internal friction) all manometers must be tested for hysteresis as well as for sensitivity and natural frequency— H. D. Green especially : a lagging in the values of resulting magnetization in a magnetic material (such as iron) due to a changing magnetizing force

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Other Words from hysteresis

hysteretic \ ËŒhi-​stÉ™-​ˈre-​tik How to pronounce hysteretic (audio) \ adjective

Examples of hysteresis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Paleoclimatologists said this hysteresis might explain other puzzles about the paleoclimate record. Natalie Wolchover, WIRED, "As the World Warms, Clouds Could Disappear—Catastrophically," 3 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hysteresis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of hysteresis

1881, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for hysteresis

New Latin, from Greek hysterēsis shortcoming, from hysterein to be late, fall short, from hysteros later — more at out

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More Definitions for hysteresis

hysteresis

noun
hys·​ter·​e·​sis | \ ËŒhis-tÉ™-ˈrÄ“-sÉ™s How to pronounce hysteresis (audio) \
plural hystereses\ -​ËŒsÄ“z How to pronounce hystereses (audio) \

Medical Definition of hysteresis

1 : the lagging of a physical effect on a body behind its cause (as behind changed forces and conditions) all manometers must be tested for hysteresis as well as for sensitivity and natural frequency— H. D. Green
2a : the influence of the previous history or treatment of a body on its subsequent response to a given force or changed condition a study has been made of the phenomenon of rennet hysteresis, in which the time of coagulation of heated milk is progressively greater with increase in the time interval between heating and addition of rennet— J. S. Fruton
b : the changed response of a body that results from this influence

More from Merriam-Webster on hysteresis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hysteresis