A chemical process whereby a compound is cleaved into two or more simpler compounds with the uptake of the H and OH parts of a water molecule on either side of the chemical bond cleaved; h. is effected by the action of acids, alkalies, or enzymes. Cf.:hydration. SYN: hydrolytic cleavage. [hydro- + G. lysis, dissolution]
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hy·dro·ly·sis hī-'dräl-ə-səs, .hī-drə-'lī- n a chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water
hy·dro·lyt·ic .hī-drə-'lit-ik adj
hy·dro·lyt·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv
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hy·drol·y·sis (hi-drolґə-sis) pl. hydrolґyses [hydro- + -lysis] the splitting of a compound into fragments by the addition of water, the hydroxyl group being incorporated in one fragment, and the hydrogen atom in the other.Medical dictionary. 2011.