Main Entry: di·al·y·sis

Pronunciation: \dī-ˈal-ə-səs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural di·al·y·ses \-ˌsēz\

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 fluid and 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 peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane—called also peritoneal dialysis

—di·a·lyt·ic \ˌdī-ə-ˈlit-ik\ adjective