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dissociate


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Definition of dissociate

verb

[with object]
  • 1(especially in abstract contexts) disconnect or separate:the word ‘spiritual’ has become for many dissociated from religion
  • (dissociate oneself from) declare that one is not connected with or a supporter of (someone or something):he took pains to dissociate himself from the religious radicals
  • Psychiatry split off (a component of mental activity) to act as an independent part of mental life.
  • 2 Chemistry (with reference to a molecule) split into separate smaller atoms, ions, or molecules, especially reversibly: [with object]:these compounds are dissociated by solar radiation to yield atoms of chlorine

Derivatives

dissociative

Pronunciation: /-ətɪv/

adjective

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Latin dissociat- 'separated', from the verb dissociare, from dis- (expressing reversal) + sociare 'join together' (from socius 'companion')

dissociate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of dissociate in the US English dictionary