dissociation

Plural: dissociations

Noun

• the act of removing from association
• a state in which some integrated part of a person's life becomes separated from the rest of the personality and functions independently
• (chemistry) the temporary or reversible process in which a molecule or ion is broken down into smaller molecules or ions
• The act of dissociating or disuniting; a state of separation; disunion.
• The process by which a compound body breaks up into simpler constituents; said particularly of the action of heat on gaseous or volatile substances.
• A defence mechanism where certain thoughts or mental processes are compartmentalised in order to avoid emotional stress to the conscious mind.

Examples

• "the dissociation of ammonium chloride into hydrochloric acid and ammonia"
• "the dissociation of the sulphur molecules"

Synonyms

disassociation

Related Words

dissociate, dissociative