ˌdisəˈlüshən also -səlˈyü- noun
Etymology: Middle English dissolucioun, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French dissolution, from Latin dissolution-, dissolutio, from dissolutus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act or the process of dissolving or breaking up: as
a. : separation into component parts
the dissolution of the phoneme into simultaneous distinctive features — John Lotz
b. : disintegration , decay
the old hostelry, then not many years from its final dissolution — A.W.Long
especially : the extinction of life in the human body : decease , death
grew convinced of his friend's approaching dissolution — Elinor Wylie
c. : termination or destruction by breaking down, disrupting, or dispersing
the dissolution of the republic
the dissolution of a treaty
the dissolution of American urban life — Richard Hofstadter
he saw his lifework threatened with dissolution through the political and shortsighted muddling — J.C.Fitzpatrick
d. : final dispersion (as of an organized group)
the power of dissolution of a legislature at will possessed by the colonial governor — O.P.Field
e. : liquefaction
the dissolution of ice
f. : solution 2a
g. : the final liquidation of a business
2. : the process of becoming or the state of being relaxed or loosened or a becoming or being dissolute: as
a. obsolete : a becoming lax : enfeeblement
b. : a loosening or a loss of restraint especially in moral behavior : dissoluteness , profligacy
c. : the dissolving of a tie or connection
the dissolution of the partnership
3. : an instance or product of dissolution or something dissolved or dissolute: as
a. : solution 2b
b. obsolete : a dissolute or profligate act : extravagance , excess
c. : an opening in rock produced by the solution of part of the rock