dis·so·ci·a·tion

[dih-soh-see-ey-shuhn, -shee-ey-]
noun
1.
an act or instance of dissociating.
2.
the state of being dissociated; disjunction; separation: the dissociation of church and state.
3.
Physical Chemistry.
a.
the reversible resolution or decomposition of a complex substance into simpler constituents caused by variation in physical conditions, as when water gradually decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen under great heat in such a way that when the temperature is lowered the liberated elements recombine.
b.
electrolytic dissociation.
4.
Psychiatry. the splitting off of a group of mental processes from the main body of consciousness, as in amnesia or certain forms of hysteria.
Origin:
1605–15; dis-1 + (as)sociation, modeled on Latin dissociātiō separation

Related forms
self-dis·so·ci·a·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
dissociation (dɪˌsəʊsɪˈeɪʃən, -ʃɪ-) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  the act of dissociating or the state of being dissociated
2.  chem
 a.  a reversible chemical change of the molecules of a single compound into two or more other molecules, atoms, ions, or radicals
 b.  any decomposition of the molecules of a single compound into two or more other compounds, atoms, ions, or radicals
3.  separation of molecules or atoms that occurs when a liquid or solid changes to a gas
4.  psychiatry the separation of a group of mental processes or ideas from the rest of the personality, so that they lead an independent existence, as in cases of multiple personality

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

dissociation dis·so·ci·a·tion (dĭ-sō'sē-ā'shən, -shē-)
n.

  1. The chemical process by which the action of a solvent or a change in physical condition, as in pressure or temperature, causes a molecule to split into simpler groups of atoms, single atoms, or ions.

  2. The separation of an electrolyte into ions of opposite charge.

  3. Separation of a group of related psychological activities into autonomously functioning units, as in the generation of multiple personalities.

dis·so'ci·ate' v.
dis·so'ci·a'tive adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
dissociation   (dĭ-sō'sē-ā'shən)  Pronunciation Key 
The separation of a substance into two or more simpler substances, or of a molecule into atoms or ions, by the action of heat or a chemical process. Dissociation is usually reversible.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
Dissociation refers to the breaking of a chemical bond without reference to whether the products are ions or neutral fragments.
The electricity from the cell powers the dissociation and the heat makes the process more efficient.
The result was a dissociation between the experience and the commentary.
Looked at from a longer distance, the statement suggested a degree of mental dissociation.
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