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dialysis

[dahy-al-uh-sis]
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noun, plural di·al·y·ses [dahy-al-uh-seez] /daɪˈæl əˌsiz/.
  1. Physical Chemistry. the separation of crystalloids from colloids in a solution by diffusion through a membrane.
  2. 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.
  3. Medicine/Medical. (in kidney disease) the process by which uric acid and urea are removed from circulating blood by means of a dialyzer.
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Origin of dialysis

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

dialyze

[dahy-uh-lahyz]
verb (used with object), di·a·lyzed, di·a·lyz·ing.
  1. to subject to dialysis; separate or procure by dialysis.
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verb (used without object), di·a·lyzed, di·a·lyz·ing.
  1. to undergo dialysis.
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Also especially British, di·a·lyse.

Origin of dialyze

First recorded in 1860–65; dia- + -lyze
Related formsdi·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectivedi·a·lyz·a·bil·i·ty, noundi·a·ly·za·tion, nounnon·di·a·lyz·ing, adjectiveun·di·a·lyzed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for dialyses

dialysis

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
  1. 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
  2. med See haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis
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Derived Formsdialytic (ˌdaɪəˈlɪtɪk), adjectivedialytically, adverb

Word Origin

C16: from Late Latin: a separation, from Greek dialusis a dissolution, from dialuein to tear apart, dissolve, from luein to loosen
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dialyses

dialysis

n.

1580s, from Latin, from Greek dialysis "dissolution, separation" (of the disbanding of troops, a divorce, etc.), from dialyein "dissolve, separate," from dia- "apart" + lyein "loosen" (see lose). Used originally in logic and grammar; chemistry sense is first recorded 1861, medicine 1914. Related: Dialytic.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dialyses in Medicine

dialysis

(dī-ăl′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.diffusion
  2. Hemodialysis.
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Related formsdi′a•lyt′ic (-ə-lĭt′ĭk) adj.

dialyze

(dī′ə-līz′)
v.
  1. To subject to or undergo dialysis or hemodialysis.
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Related formsdi′a•lyz′a•bil′i•ty n.di′a•lyz′a•ble adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
dialyses in Science

dialysis

[dī-ăl′ĭ-sĭs]
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
dialyses in Culture

dialysis

[(deye-al-uh-sis)]

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

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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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.