dissociation

英[dɪ,səʊʃɪ'eɪʃ(ə)n;-sɪ-] 美[dɪ,sosɪ'eʃən]

1. the act of removing from association

2. a state in which some integrated part of a person's life becomes separated from the rest of the personality and functions independently

3. (chemistry) the temporary or reversible process in which a molecule or ion is broken down into smaller molecules or ions