Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Hysteresis

Hysteresis , noun

[New Latin, from Greek {not transcribed} to be behind, to lag.]

(Physics) A lagging or retardation of the effect, when the forces acting upon a body are changed, as if from velocity or internal friction; a temporary resistance to change from a condition previously induced, observed in magnetism, thermoelectricity, etc., on reversal of polarity.