Dialysis

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /daɪˈælɪsɪs/

Origin

Dated in the late 16th Century CE; from Ancient Greek διά (diá, "inter” “through") and λύειν (lýein, "loosen").

Full definition of dialysis

Noun

1. (chemistry) A method of separating molecules or particles of different sizes by differential diffusion through a semipermeable membrane.
2. (medicine) Haemodialysis.
• 2013-06-01, A better waterworks, An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.
3. (rhetoric) The spelling out of alternatives, or presenting of either-or arguments that lead to a conclusion.
4. (rhetoric) Asyndeton.

Derived terms

• dialytic
• dialytically
• dialyze