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disassociation

dis·as·so·ci·a·tion [ dìssə sōshee áysh'n, dìssə sōssee áysh'n ]


noun 
Definition:
 
1. ending of relationship: the termination of an association with another person or group

2. distancing of self: the denial of any connection or involvement with somebody or something else


Word Usage
disassociation or dissociation?

Both these words, and the verbs (disassociate, dissociate) from which they come, share the meaning "separation from a relationship with another," and in this sense they are interchangeable: sought disassociation/dissociation from the scandal;sought to dissociate/disassociate themselves from the scandal.Dissociation, however, does have two senses not shared by disassociation: in psychology and psychiatry, "separation of emotions as a defense mechanism" and in chemistry, "the breaking up of a molecule into simpler components." Do not confuse the two words.

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