English Explanatory Dictionary

dissociation

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The act of dissociating or disuniting; a state of separation; disunion.
  2. The process by which a compound body breaks up into simpler constituents; said particularly of the action of heat on gaseous or volatile substances.
  3. A defence mechanism where certain thoughts or mental processes are compartmentalised in order to avoid emotional stress to the conscious mind.

Pronunciation

/dɪˌsəʊʃiˈeɪʃən/ /dɪˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/ /dɪˌsoʊʃiˈeɪʃən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-dissociation.wav

Word forms

dissociation dissociations

Etymology

Borrowed from French dissociation, from Latin dissociātiō(n).

Synonyms

disassociation

Related words

dissociate dissociative

Derived words

dissociational photodissociation predissociation vibrodissociation acid dissociation constant bond dissociation energy dissociation energy dissociation reaction
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