quench
IPA: kwˈɛntʃ
noun
- The act of quenching something; the fact of being quenched.
- (physics) The abnormal termination of operation of a superconducting magnet, occurring when part of the superconducting coil enters the normal (resistive) state.
- (physics) A rapid change of the parameters of a physical system.
verb
- (transitive) To satisfy, especially a literal or figurative thirst.
- (transitive) To extinguish or put out (as a fire or light).
- (transitive, metallurgy) To cool rapidly by direct contact with liquid coolant, as a blacksmith quenching hot iron.
- (transitive, chemistry) To terminate or greatly diminish (a chemical reaction) by destroying or deforming the remaining reagents.
- (transitive, physics) To rapidly change the parameters of a physical system.
- (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.