demagnetization
|de-mag-ne-ti-za-tion|
🇺🇸
/diˌmæɡnətaɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌdiːmæɡnətaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
removal of magnetism
Etymology
'demagnetization' originates from the prefix 'de-' (Latin) meaning 'removal' or 'reversal', combined with 'magnetize' (from 'magnet') and the noun-forming suffix '-ation' (from Latin '-ationem') indicating an action or process. 'Magnet' ultimately comes from Greek 'magnētis (lithos)' meaning 'stone of Magnesia'.
'Magnet' came from Greek 'magnētis', passed into Latin (magnes) and then into Middle English as 'magnet'. The verb 'magnetize' was formed in English by adding the verb-forming suffix '-ize' to 'magnet', and 'demagnetize' was formed by prefixing Latin 'de-'. The noun 'demagnetization' was later formed by adding '-ation'.
Initially the elements meant 'magnet' and the processes of imparting or removing magnetism; over time 'demagnetization' has come to specifically denote the deliberate or natural removal of magnetic properties and, in modern contexts, the erasure of recorded magnetic information.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or action of removing magnetic properties from a material or object.
The laboratory studied the demagnetization of the sample to prevent interference with measurements.
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Noun 2
the reduction or elimination of residual magnetism in devices (for example, tapes, hard drives, CRT displays) often carried out to erase recorded information or to correct magnetic distortion.
Technicians performed demagnetization on the CRT to remove the color distortion.
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Last updated: 2025/11/19 17:19