# Neal

/ˈniɫ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/neal
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to heat and temper

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

to heat metal or glass and then let it cool slowly to make it stronger or less likely to break.

For teachers: to subject a material, such as glass or metal, to a process of heating and slow cooling in order to toughen it and reduce brittleness.

- The blacksmith had to neal the blade carefully so it would not snap during use.
- In the traditional workshop, the artisan would neal the glass vessels overnight to ensure the structural integrity of the finished product.

Usage: Usually transitive, requiring a material object like glass, steel, or clay.

Teaching tip: This is a rare variant of the modern term 'anneal'. In contemporary English, students will almost exclusively encounter 'Neal' as a proper name or surname rather than this verb.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.