dialysis

[ dahy-al-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural di·al·y·ses [dahy-, al, -, uh, -seez].

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.

dialysis

/ daɪˈælɪsɪs; ˌdaɪəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

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

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.

dialysis

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

Notes

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.

Derived Forms

• ˌdiaˈlytically, adverb
• dialytic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dialysis¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin, from Greek diálysis “separation”; equivalent to dia- + -lysis

Word History and Origins

Origin of dialysis¹

C16: from Late Latin: a separation, from Greek dialusis a dissolution, from dialuein to tear apart, dissolve, from luein to loosen

Example Sentences

There are drug treatments that can be given, as well as dialysis to clean the blood.

From BBC

“The longer a young person is on dialysis, the more difficult their medical future will likely be.”

From Los Angeles Times

"I still see children dying on the floors of hospitals for the lack of hospital beds... and dialysis patients dying because there is no fuel allowed to get to hospitals."

From BBC

Some patients need to be hooked up to a dialysis machine for up to three hours a day but power only gets restored for about an hour or two, sometimes after midnight.

From BBC

Fatu’s father told the station that he was a good and loving child who was on dialysis and recently received a new kidney.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• departure
• disengagement
• dissolution
• divorce
• estrangement
• partition
• segregation
• split