Dissipation

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ËŒdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/
• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Full definition of dissipation

Noun

1. The act of dissipating or dispersing; a state of dispersion or separation; dispersion; waste.
• Francis Baconwithout loss or dissipation of the matter
• Sir M. Halethe famous dissipation of mankind
2. A dissolute course of life, in which health, money, etc., are squandered in pursuit of pleasure; profuseness in vicious indulgence, as late hours, riotous living, etc.; dissoluteness.
• P. Henryto reclaim the spendthrift from his dissipation and extravagance
• 1913, w, Lord Stranleigh Abroad Chapter 4, “… This is a surprise attack, and I’d no wish that the garrison, forewarned, should escape. I am sure, Lord Stranleigh, that he has been descanting on the distraction of the woods and the camp, or perhaps the metropolitan dissipation of Philadelphia, …”
3. A trifle which wastes time or distracts attention.
• Jonathan SwiftPrevented from finishing them letters a thousand avocations and dissipations.
4. (physics) A loss of energy, usually as heat, from a dynamic system