To disconnect or separate from an association; to break apart or dissolve a connection. In psychology, it refers to a mental disconnect from thoughts, feelings, or memories.
From Latin 'dissociatus' (dis- 'apart' + sociare 'to join, unite'), from 'socius' meaning 'companion'. The word entered scientific vocabulary in the 19th century, first in chemistry for molecular separation, then in psychology for mental disconnection.
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