Main Entry: dis·so·ci·a·tion

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)di-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən, -shē-\

Function: noun

Date: 1611

1 : the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: as a : the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents; especially : one that results from the action of energy (as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance b : the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in multiple personality disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in the schizophrenias) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior
2 : the property inherent in some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) of differentiating into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains; also : such a strain

— dis·so·cia·tive \(ˌ)di-ˈsō-shē-ˌā-tiv, -sē-, -shə-tiv\ adjective