/dis'euh pay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. the act of dissipating.
2. the state of being dissipated; dispersion; disintegration.
3. a wasting by misuse: the dissipation of a fortune.
4. mental distraction; amusement; diversion.
5. dissolute way of living, esp. excessive drinking of liquor; intemperance.
6. Physics , Mech. a process in which energy is used or lost without accomplishing useful work, as friction causing loss of mechanical energy.
[ 1535-45; dissipation- (s. of dissipatio ), equiv. to dissipat ( us ) (see DISSIPATE) + -ion- -ION ]