Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Electrolysis \E`lec*trol"y*sis\, n. [Electro- + Gr. ? a loosing,
   dissolving, fr. ? to loose, dissolve.] (Physics & Chem.)
   The act or process of chemical decomposition, by the action
   of electricity; as, the electrolysis of silver or nickel for
   plating; the electrolysis of water.

Source : WordNet®

electrolysis
     n 1: lysis of a bond produced by the passage of an electric
          current
     2: removing superfluous or unwanted hair by passing an electric
        current through the hair root