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Dissociate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dissociate

[dษชหˆsoสŠ.si.eษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

mental health

To disconnect or separate from something, especially from one's thoughts or feelings.

Synonyms

detach, disconnect, separate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dissociate

Used when someone wants to emphasize separating themselves mentally or emotionally from something. Commonly used in psychological or formal contexts.

  • She tried to dissociate herself from the guilt.
  • He wants to dissociate from his past mistakes.
disconnect

Commonly used in technical or digital contexts, as well as to express a break in communication or understanding.

  • Please disconnect the phone from the charger.
  • There seems to be a disconnect between the team's objectives and the project plan.
detach

Used when emphasizing a physical or emotional disconnection. Often found in both everyday and formal language.

  • He needed to detach the cable from the device.
  • She tried to detach herself from the situation emotionally.
separate

Most frequently used in everyday situations to describe both physical and emotional division. It's the most versatile in terms of contexts.

  • You need to separate the egg whites from the yolks.
  • They decided to separate after years of marriage.

Examples of usage

  • I tried to dissociate myself from the traumatic experience.
  • She found it difficult to dissociate her emotions from her work.
Context #2 | Verb

chemistry

To separate into ions or smaller particles.

Synonyms

break down, decompose, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dissociate

Dissociate is often used in a scientific or psychological context to describe the separation of elements, molecules, or mental processes.

  • Researchers observed how the compound would dissociate in water.
  • During the traumatic event, she began to dissociate from reality.
split

Split is used to describe the division of something into parts, whether it's physical objects, groups, or opinions.

  • They decided to split the money equally among themselves.
  • There was a split in the organization over the new policy.
decompose

Decompose is typically used in scientific and environmental contexts to describe the breakdown of organic matter into simpler forms over time.

  • Leaves decompose to create rich soil in the forest.
  • The animal's body began to decompose soon after it died.
break down

Break down is commonly used in everyday language to describe the process of something being separated into smaller parts, whether it's a physical object, a chemical compound, or a complex idea.

  • The food will break down in your stomach.
  • Can you break down the assignment into smaller tasks?

Examples of usage

  • When you add salt to water, it will dissociate into sodium and chloride ions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Dissociation can occur as a defense mechanism when someone faces trauma, helping them to cope by detaching from reality.
  • Some people experience dissociative disorders, where they have frequent episodes of feeling disconnected from their thoughts and surroundings.
  • Common symptoms of dissociation include memory loss, a sense of being outside one's body, and feeling as if the world isnโ€™t real.

Pop Culture

  • Dissociation is often depicted in movies and TV shows, highlighting characters who lose touch with reality due to trauma or stress.
  • The song 'Numb' by Linkin Park lyrically explores feelings of dissociation and emotional detachment.
  • In literature, characters sometimes dissociate during intense situations, illustrating their inner struggles.

Science

  • Research in neuroscience reveals that dissociation can result in altered brain activity, often linked to stress relief processes.
  • Studies show that dissociative experiences can vary widely, from mild daydreaming to severe detachment from reality.
  • Experiments in psychology have demonstrated that dissociation can be induced in controlled environments, helping scientists study its effects.

Art

  • Artists often explore themes of dissociation in visual and performance art, portraying feelings of isolation and disconnect.
  • The surrealist movement features works that visually represent dissociative experiences, like dream-like scenes that distort reality.
  • Literary works frequently explore character's internal dissociation as a way to highlight their conflicts and emotional battles.

Origin of 'dissociate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin 'dissociare', meaning 'to unjoin', combining 'dis-' (apart) and 'sociare' (to unite).
  • The term began to appear in English around the early 19th century, especially in psychological contexts.
  • Related words like 'associate' reflect the opposite concept, showing the contrast in connection versus separation.

The word 'dissociate' originated from the Latin word 'dissociatus', which means 'separated'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. The term gained popularity in the fields of psychology and chemistry due to its significance in describing processes of separation and disconnection.

See also: associate, associated, associates, associating, association, disassociate, disassociated, unassociated.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,322, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.