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