hy·drol·y·sis (hī-drŏl'ĭ-sĭs) n. Decomposition of a chemical compound by reaction with water, such as the dissociation of a dissolved salt or the catalytic conversion of starch to glucose. hy'dro·lyte' (-līt') n., hy'dro·lyt'ic (-drə-lĭt'ĭk) adj.
1880, formed in Eng. from hydro-, comb. form of Gk. hydor "water" (see water (n.1)) + lysis "a loosening, a dissolution," from lyein "to loosen, dissolve" (see lose).
Main Entry: hy·dro·ly·sis Pronunciation: hI-'dräl-&-s&s, "hI-dr&-'lI- Function: noun : a chemical process ofdecomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water —hy·dro·lyt·ic/"hI-dr&-'lit-ik/adjective —hy·dro·lyt·i·cal·ly/-i-k(&-)lE/adverb
hydrolysis hy·drol·y·sis (hī-drŏl'ĭ-sĭs) n. Decomposition of a chemical compound by reaction with water, such as the dissociation of a dissolved salt or the catalytic conversion of starch to glucose.
hy'dro·lyt'ic (-drə-lĭt'ĭk) adj. hy'dro·lyze' (-drə-līz) v.