dialysis

noun di·al·y·sis \dī-ˈa-lə-səs\

medical : the process of removing some of a person's blood, cleaning it, and then returning it to the person's body

plural di·al·y·ses\-ˌsēz\

Full Definition of DIALYSIS

: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes; especially : such a separation of colloids from soluble substances

: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein —called also hemodialysis

— di·a·lyt·ic \ˌdī-ə-ˈli-tik\ adjective

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Origin of DIALYSIS

New Latin, from Greek, separation, from dialyein to dissolve, from dia- + lyein to loosen — more at lose

First Known Use: 1861

Rhymes with DIALYSIS

analysis, catalysis, paralysis

Medical Dictionary

dialysis

noun di·al·y·sis \dī-ˈal-ə-səs\

plural di·al·y·ses \-ˌsēz\

Medical Definition of DIALYSIS

: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes; especially : such a separation of colloids from soluble substances

: either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane: a : the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein—called also hemodialysis b : a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane—called also peritoneal dialysis

—di·a·lyt·ic \ˌdī-ə-ˈlit-ik\ adjective