e·lec·trol·y·sis ( -l k-tr l -ss,   lk-)n. 1. Chemical change, especially decomposition, produced in an electrolyte by an electric current. 2. Destruction of living tissue, especially of hair roots, by means of an electric current applied with a needle-shaped electrode. |
electrolysis [ɪlɛkˈtrɒlɪsɪs]
n
1. (Chemistry) the conduction of electricity by a solution or melt, esp the use of this process to induce chemical changes
2. (Medicine) the destruction of living tissue, such as hair roots, by an electric current, usually for cosmetic reasons
[from electro- + -lysis]
| electrolysis (-lk-trl-ss) A process in which a chemical change, especially decomposition, is brought about by passing an electric current through a solution of electrolytes so that the electrolyte's ions move toward the negative and positive electrodes and react with them. If negative ions move toward the anode, they lose electrons and become neutral, resulting in an oxidation reaction. This also happens if atoms of the anode lose electrons and go into the electrolyte solution as positive ions. If positive ions move toward the cathode and gain electrons, becoming neutral, a reduction reaction takes place. Electrolysis is used for many purposes, including the extraction of metals from ores, the cleaning of archaeological artifacts, and the coating of materials with thin layers of metal (electroplating). |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  electrolysis - (chemistry) a chemical decomposition reaction produced by passing an electric current through a solution containing ionschemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions chemical decomposition reaction, decomposition reaction, decomposition - (chemistry) separation of a substance into two or more substances that may differ from each other and from the original substance |
| 2. | electrolysis - removing superfluous or unwanted hair by passing an electric current through the hair root depilation, epilation - the act of removing hair (as from an animal skin) |
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