<p><strong>Verb (used with object):</strong></p><ul><li>to heat (glass, earthenware, metals, etc.) to remove or prevent internal stress.</li><li>to free from internal stress by heating and gradually cooling.</li><li>to toughen or temper.</li><li>Biochemistry: to recombine (nucleic acid strands) at low temperature after separating by heat.</li><li>to fuse colors onto (a vitreous or metallic surface) by heating.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>an act, instance, or product of annealing.</li></ul>