The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word HYSTERESIS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
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Crossword Answer definitions
HYSTERESIS noun- A property of a system such that an output value is not a strict function of the corresponding input, but also incorporates some lag, delay, or history dependence, and in particular when the response for a decrease in the input variable is different from the response for an increase. For example, a thermostat with a nominal setpoint of 75° might switch the controlled heat source on when the temperature drops below 74°, and off when it rises above 76°.
- Magnetic friction in dynamos, by which every reversal of magnetism in the iron causes dissipation of energy.