An-nēal', v. t.

v. t. [A-S. anælan, onælan, to kindle, to inflame, from the pref. an, on, and ælan, to kindle, to bake, āl, æl, flame; æled, fire.] [imp. & p. p. ANNEALED; p. pr. & vb. n. ANNEALING.]

1. To heat nearly to fluidity, and then cool slowly, as glass, cast-iron, or other metals, for the purpose of rendering them less brittle; to temper by subjecting to great heat, and afterward gradually cooling.
2. To heat, as glass or tiles, in order to fix colors.