dissociation

noun

dis·so·ci·a·tion | \ (ˌ)di-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən

, -shē-\

Definition of dissociation

1 : the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: such as

a : the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents especially : one that results from the action of energy (such as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance

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

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During her testimony, Yoselyn’s sister Delci told a story that defense psychiatrists cited as evidence of psychosis and dissociation. — Maureen O'connor, The Cut, "The Jury and the Family Speak Out As the Nanny Trial Ends," 19 Apr. 2018 The symptoms include dissociation, explosive anger and a sense of hopelessness. — Alexandra Rockey Fleming, chicagotribune.com, "Opioid addiction and overdoses in children devastate their parents," 3 July 2018 Newly employed might draw a few paychecks, but the gains are short-lived as soon as soon as sleep disorders, flashbacks, dissociation and many of the same debilitating post-traumatic stress symptoms that plague military veterans kick in. — John Schmid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "What stops a bullet? Milwaukee can learn from L.A. program that has turned to trauma care," 18 June 2018 After #MeToo, this absent or fragmented depiction of women seems like a relic, a product of a long dissociation now ending. — Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "At the ICA, Kevin Beasley alchemizes dark histories," 23 May 2018 That might conjure images of prophets or fortunetellers, but dissociation is usually pretty mundane. — Ilana Strauss, The Cut, "What Is Sleep Paralysis, and How Do You Stop It?," 12 Apr. 2018 Cases of dissociation had a whiff of the mystical, and doctors tended to stay away from them. — Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, "How a Young Woman Lost Her Identity," 26 Mar. 2018 The next day, the same — a blurry dissociation, a pain between my eyes. — Katy Schneider, The Cut, "My Seven-Month Migraine," 31 Jan. 2018 Generally, hypersonic speeds are the point at which the molecules of air that surround the aircraft start to change by breaking apart (dissociation) and/or picking up electrical charge (ionization). — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "How Fast Is Hypersonic Speed, Really?," 28 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dissociation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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dissociative identity disorder

dissoconch

dissogeny

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The first known use of dissociation was in 1611

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More Definitions for dissociation

dissociation

noun

dis·so·ci·a·tion | \ (ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən

, -shē-

Medical Definition of dissociation

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 with loss of integrated awareness and autonomous functioning of the separated segments or parts

2 : the process by which some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) differentiate into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains also : such a strain