Anneal

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːl

Alternative forms

• aneal

Origin

From Middle English anelen, onelen, from Old English anǣlan, onǣlan ("to set fire to, ignite, heat, inspire, incite, kindle, inflame, enlighten, burn, consume"), from Proto-Germanic *ana ("on") + Proto-Germanic *ailijaną ("to burn"), from Proto-Indo-European *aidʰ- ("to burn"). Related to Old English onāl ("burning, incense, that which is burnt"), Old English āl ("fire, burning"), Icelandic eldur ("fire"), Swedish eld ("fire, flame"), Danish ild ("fire").

Full definition of anneal

Verb

1. (metallurgy) To subject to great heat, and then cool slowly for the purpose of rendering less brittle; to temper; to toughen.
2. To strengthen or harden.There was more than one way to anneal them with regards to resolve.