dialysis

[ dahy-al-uh-sis ]
/ daɪˈæl ə sɪs /

noun, plural di·al·y·ses [dahy-al-uh-seez] /daɪˈæl əˌsiz/.

Physical Chemistry. the separation of crystalloids from colloids in a solution by diffusion through a membrane.
Biochemistry. the separation of large molecules, as proteins, from small molecules and ions in a solution by allowing the latter to pass through a semipermeable membrane.
Medicine/Medical. (in kidney disease) the process by which uric acid and urea are removed from circulating blood by means of a dialyzer.

Origin of dialysis

1580–90; < Late Latin < Greek diálysis a separation. See dia-, -lysis

Words nearby dialysis

dialogue box, dialysance, dialysate, dialyse, dialyser, dialysis, dialysis encephalopathy syndrome, dialytic, dialyzate, dialyze, dialyzer

Definition for dialyses (2 of 2)

dialyze
[ dahy-uh-lahyz ]
/ ˈdaɪ əˌlaɪz /

verb (used with object), di·a·lyzed, di·a·lyz·ing.

to subject to dialysis; separate or procure by dialysis.

verb (used without object), di·a·lyzed, di·a·lyz·ing.

to undergo dialysis.
Also especially British, di·a·lyse.

Origin of dialyze

First recorded in 1860–65; dia- + -lyze

OTHER WORDS FROM dialyze

Words related to dialyses

divorce, dissolution, partition, departure, estrangement, split, disengagement, segregation, rift, divorcement, division, severance, disunion, gap, break, disconnection, detachment, farewell, disjunction, rupture

British Dictionary definitions for dialyses

dialysis
/ (daɪˈælɪsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

the separation of small molecules from large molecules and colloids in a solution by the selective diffusion of the small molecules through a semipermeable membrane
med See haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis

Derived forms of dialysis

dialytic (ˌdaɪəˈlɪtɪk), adjective dialytically, adverb

Word Origin for dialysis

C16: from Late Latin: a separation, from Greek dialusis a dissolution, from dialuein to tear apart, dissolve, from luein to loosen

Medical definitions for dialyses (1 of 2)

dialysis
[ dī-ăl′ĭ-sĭs ]

n. pl. di•al•y•ses (-sēz′)

The separation of smaller molecules from larger molecules or of dissolved substances from colloidal particles in a solution by selective diffusion through a semipermeable membrane. diffusion
Hemodialysis.

Other words from dialysis

di′a•lyt′ic (-ə-lĭt′ĭk) adj.

Medical definitions for dialyses (2 of 2)

dialyze
[ dī′ə-līz′ ]

v.

To subject to or undergo dialysis or hemodialysis.

Other words from dialyze

di′a•lyz′a•bil′i•ty n. di′a•lyz′a•ble adj.

Scientific definitions for dialyses

dialysis
[ dī-ăl′ĭ-sĭs ]

The separation of the smaller molecules in a solution from the larger molecules by passing the solution through a membrane that does not allow the large molecules to pass through.
A medical procedure in which this technique of molecular separation is used to remove metabolic waste products or toxic substances from the blood. Dialysis is required for individuals with severe kidney failure.

Cultural definitions for dialyses

dialysis
[ (deye-al-uh-sis) ]

The separation of large molecules from small molecules by passage through a membrane.

notes for dialysis

A common treatment for kidney disease is the use of a dialysis machine to filter toxic substances from the blood, a function that the kidneys normally perform.