/duy al"euh sis/ , n. , pl. dialyses /-seez'/ .
1. Physical Chem. the separation of crystalloids from colloids in a solution by diffusion through a membrane.
2. Biochem. the separation of large molecules, as proteins, from small molecules and ions in a solution by allowing the latter to pass through a semipermeable membrane.
3. Med. (in kidney disease) the process by which uric acid and urea are removed from circulating blood by means of a dialyzer.
[ 1580-90; diálysis a separation. See DIA-, -LYSIS ]