Dissociation
Pronunciation : Dis*so`ci*a"tion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. dissociatio: cf. F. dissociation.]
Definition : 1. The act of dissociating or disuniting; a state of separation; disunion. It will add infinitely dissociation, distraction, and confusion of these confederate republics. Burke.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: The process by which a compound body breaks up into simpler constituents; -- said particularly of the action of heat on gaseous or volatile substances; as, the dissociation of the sulphur molecules; the dissociation of ammonium chloride into hydrochloric acid and ammonia.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913