Definition

1. Noun:
   • A method of permanent hair removal: The process of removing unwanted hair by destroying the hair root with an electric current applied via a fine needle.
   • A chemical decomposition reaction: (Chemistry) The process of decomposing a chemical compound into its elements or simpler compounds by passing an electric current through a liquid or solution containing ions.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Hair Removal):

  • She underwent electrolysis to permanently remove the hair from her upper lip.
  • Electrolysis is often considered more permanent than laser hair removal.

• Noun (Chemical Process):

  • The electrolysis of water produces hydrogen and oxygen gas.
  • In the lab, we used electrolysis to separate sodium from molten sodium chloride.

Advanced Usage

• "to undergo electrolysis": to receive the hair removal treatment.

  • After years of shaving, she decided to undergo electrolysis.

• "the electrolysis of": used to specify the compound being decomposed.

  • The electrolysis of brine is an important industrial process for producing chlorine.

Variants and Related Words

• Electrolyte (n): A substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved, crucial for the chemical process of electrolysis.

  • Sodium chloride is a strong electrolyte.

• Electrolytic (adj): Relating to or involving electrolysis.

  • The metal was refined using an electrolytic process.

• Electrolyze (v): To subject to or decompose by electrolysis.

  • They electrolyzed the solution to obtain the pure element.

Synonyms

• Depilation (for hair removal context): The removal of hair.
• Electrochemical decomposition (for chemical context): A more technical term for the process.

Related Phrases

• Electrolysis cell: The apparatus in which electrolysis is carried out.
  • The students assembled an electrolysis cell for the experiment.

Related Idioms

(No common idioms are directly based on this technical term.)

Noun

1. removing superfluous or unwanted hair by passing an electric current through the hair root
2. (chemistry) a chemical decomposition reaction produced by passing an electric current through a solution containing ions