Main Entry: hys·ter·e·sis

Pronunciation: \ˌhis-tə-ˈrē-səs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural hys·ter·e·ses \-ˌsēz\

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

Date: 1881

: a retardation of an effect when the forces acting upon a body are changed (as if from viscosity or internal friction); especially : a lagging in the values of resulting magnetization in a magnetic material (as iron) due to a changing magnetizing force

— hys·ter·et·ic \-ˈre-tik\ adjective