Hydrolysis /(?)/

Hy·drol·y·sis

Hydrolysis

n.
  1. A chemical process causing the splitting of a chemical bond by the addition of the elements of water. Where the bond which is split is not part of a ring structure, this process causes formation of two compounds from one compound plus water, as in the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of fats during saponification. (Chem.)