dialyse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “dialyse” mean?
To purify or separate substances in a solution by passing them through a semi-permeable membrane.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To purify or separate substances in a solution by passing them through a semi-permeable membrane.
To subject a patient or a substance to dialysis, a medical treatment for kidney failure that removes waste and excess fluid from the blood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English uses 'dialyse' as the verb; American English uses 'dialyze'.
Connotations
Identical connotations: technical, medical, often associated with chronic illness and hospital settings.
Frequency
Much more frequent in British English texts. In American texts, the spelling 'dialyze' is universal, making 'dialyse' very rare.
Grammar
How to Use “dialyse” in a Sentence
[Subject: Medical staff] dialyse [Object: Patient/Blood] ([Adjunct: at a clinic/for four hours])[Subject: Machine/Process] dialyses [Object: Solution] ([Adjunct: to remove impurities])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dialyse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hospital will dialyse the patient three times a week.
- This equipment is used to dialyse the chemical solution.
American English
- [Using 'dialyze'] The clinic will dialyze the patient three times a week.
- [Using 'dialyze'] This equipment is used to dialyze the chemical solution.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb derived from 'dialyse'.]
American English
- [No standard adverb derived from 'dialyze'.]
adjective
British English
- [No direct adjective. Use 'dialysing' as a participle adjective: 'the dialysing patient', 'a dialysing machine'.]
American English
- [No direct adjective. Use 'dialyzing' as a participle adjective: 'the dialyzing patient', 'a dialyzing machine'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in business contexts related to medical equipment manufacturing or healthcare service provision.
Academic
Used in medical, biochemical, and chemical engineering papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Very rare. Used by patients, families, and healthcare professionals discussing treatment.
Technical
The primary register. Used in medical procedures, laboratory protocols, and equipment manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dialyse”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dialyse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dialyse”
- Using 'dialyse' intransitively incorrectly (e.g., 'He dialyses' is correct if he performs the action on someone, but a patient 'undergoes dialysis').
- Confusing spelling between 'dialyse' (UK) and 'dialyze' (US).
- Using it as a synonym for generic filtering.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both. You dialyse a patient (medically) or you dialyse a chemical solution (in a lab). The object changes the context.
The spelling: 'dialyse' (UK) vs. 'dialyze' (US). The pronunciation and meaning are identical.
Not typically in standard medical English. A patient 'undergoes dialysis' or 'is dialysed' (passive). The medical staff or the machine dialyses the patient.
The noun is 'dialysis'. The process is called dialysis; to perform that process is to dialyse/dialyze.
To purify or separate substances in a solution by passing them through a semi-permeable membrane.
Dialyse is usually medical/technical in register.
Dialyse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪ.ə.laɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪ.ə.laɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word is highly technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DIA' (through) + 'LYSE' (to loosen/split). You 'loosen' waste products from the blood by passing them 'through' a membrane.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A MACHINE (a failing kidney part is replaced by a dialysis machine). CLEANING IS PURIFYING (dialysis cleanses the blood).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the core meaning of 'dialyse'?