electrolysis

Coined by English polymath William Whewell in 1834 for Michael Faraday. From electro- +‎ -lysis (“a loosening”). Originally of tumors, later (1909) of hair removal.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɪlɛkˈtɹɒləsɪs/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɒlɪsɪs

electrolysis (countable and uncountable, plural electrolyses)

1. (chemistry) the chemical change produced by passing an electric current through a conducting solution or a molten salt.
   • 2012, Andrew Martin, Underground Overground: A passenger's history of the Tube, Profile Books, →ISBN, page 136:

     But current leakage in a Tube tunnel can cause electrolysis to occur in steel retaining walls, which in turn causes them to rust; it could also damage the foundations of nearby buildings.

2. The destruction of hair roots by means of an electric current.

• electrolytic
• electrolyze

• electroplating