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Glite Dictionary
🛳️ Removing magnetism 💾 Erasing data
degaussing

degaussing

8.3
To erase data on hard drives or tapes using a strong magnetic field
  • noun
  • /dɪˈɡɔsɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : desmagnetización
  • Because a magnetized shadow mask deflects the electrons passing through it, causing beautiful but undesirable color shifts, many color sets and monitors have automatic degaussing coils in them.

Examples

  • The technician performed degaussing on the hard drive to ensure all data was securely erased.

  • Before selling the old computer, she completed a degaussing process to protect her privacy.

  • We must be sure of total degaussing of the circuits.

    The Astro-Zombies (1968)

  • The degaussing procedure was necessary to eliminate any sensitive information stored on the magnetic tape.

Synonyms

demagnetization
vsdegaussing
  • Specialized
8.2

Removing the magnetism from an object so it is not magnetic any more

is used specifically to erase information on magnetic storage media

Antonyms

recording
150 2.1

Capturing sound or pictures so they can be played later

How Erased

destruction
849 3.0
degaussing
  • Specialized
8.3
deletion
8 4.2

Surface Forms

degaussing singular
degaussings plural

Morphology

degaussing = degauss (semi-transparent) = de + gauss + ing

Same morphological structure as sense 1; the process is regular but relies on the technical root 'gauss', which is specialized vocabulary for many learners.

Etymology

Degaussing comes from de- meaning 'remove' and Gauss, the name for magnetic strength. A helpful way to remember it is 'taking away magnetism' from a hard drive or tape with a strong magnetic field, which is why degaussing now means erasing magnetic data.