dialysis

di·al·y·sis   (dī-āl'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. Hemodialysis. [Greek dialusis, separating, dissolution, from dialūein, to break up, dissolve : dia-, apart; see dia- + lūein, to loosen; see leu- in Indo-European roots.] di'a·lyt'ic (-ə-lĭt'ĭk) adj., di'a·lyt'i·cal·ly adv.

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

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

Note: 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.

dialysis 

Main Entry: di·al·y·sis
Pronunciation: dI-'al-&-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural di·al·y·ses /-"sEz/
1 : the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes;especially : such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2 : either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluidand electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane: a : the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient),purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein called also hemodialysis b : a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneumacts as the semipermeable membrane called also peritoneal dialysis —di·a·lyt·ic /"dI-&-'lit-ik/ adjective

dialysis di·al·y·sis (dī-āl'ĭ-sĭs)
n. pl. di·al·y·ses (-sēz')

1. 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. Also called diffusion.

2. Hemodialysis.

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di'a·lyt'ic (-ə-lĭt'ĭk) adj.

dialysis   (dī-āl'ĭ-sĭs)  Pronunciation Key  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.