Definition of "quench" in Anglais

verb

1. (transitive) To satisfy, especially a literal or figurative thirst.

   • The library quenched her thirst for knowledge.

2. (transitive) To extinguish or put out (as a fire or light).

3. (transitive, metallurgy) To cool rapidly by direct contact with liquid coolant, as a blacksmith quenching hot iron.

   • The swordsmith quenched the sword in an oil bath so that it wouldn't shatter.

4. (transitive, chemistry) To terminate or greatly diminish (a chemical reaction) by destroying or deforming the remaining reagents.

5. (transitive, physics) To rapidly change the parameters of a physical system.

6. (transitive, physics) To rapidly terminate the operation of a superconducting electromagnet by causing part or all of the magnet's windings to enter the normal, resistive state.

   • If someone is pinned against the MRI magnet by a ferromagnetic object, you may need to quench the magnet in order to free them.

noun

1. The act of quenching something; the fact of being quenched.

2. (physics) The abnormal termination of operation of a superconducting magnet, occurring when part of the superconducting coil enters the normal (resistive) state.

3. (physics) A rapid change of the parameters of a physical system.