(Lat. _dissidere_, to dissent). In this connotation the terms
"dissenter" and "dissenting," which had acquired a somewhat contemptuous
flavour, have tended since the middle of the 19th century to be replaced
by "nonconformist," a term which did not originally imply secession, but
only refusal to conform in certain particulars (e.g. the wearing of the
surplice) with the authorized usages of the Established Church. Still
more recently the term "nonconformist" has in its turn, as the political
attack on the principle of a state establishment of religion developed,
tended to give place to the style of "Free Churches" and "Free
Churchman." All three terms are now in use, "nonconformist" being the
most usual, as it is the most colourless. (See CONGREGATIONALISM, &c.)

DISSOCIATION, a separation or dispersal, the opposite of association. In
chemistry the term is given to chemical reactions in which a substance
decomposes into two or more substances, and particularly to cases in
which associated molecules break down into simpler molecules. Thus the
reactions NH4Cl <=> NH3 + HCl, and PCl5 <=> PCl3 + Cl2 are instances of the
first type; N2O4 <=> 2NO2, of the second (see CHEMICAL ACTION).
Electrolytic or ionic dissociation is the separation of a substance in
solution into ions (see ELECTROLYSIS; SOLUTION).

DISSOLUTION (from Lat. _dissolvere_, to break up into parts), the act of
dissolving or reducing to constituent parts, especially of the bringing
to an end an association such as a partnership or building society, and
particularly of the termination of an assembly. A dissolution of
parliament in England is thus the end of its existence, brought about by
the efflux of time in accordance with the Septennial Act 1716, or by an
exercise of the royal prerogative. This is done either in person, or by
commission, if parliament is sitting; if prorogued, then by
proclamation. The word is used as a synonym for end or death.

DISTAFF, in the early forms of spinning, the "rock" or short stick round
one end of which the flax, cotton or wool is loosely wound, and from
which it is spun off by the spindle. The word is derived from the Old
English _distaef_, the first part of which is connected with _dizen_,
in modern English seen in "bedizen," to deck out or embellish,
originally "to equip the distaff with flax, &c.," cf. the German
dialectal word _Diesse_, flax. The last part of the word is "staff."
"Distaff" from early ti