Original: Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which one or more water molecules are split into hydrogen and hydroxide ions , which may go on to participate in further reactions.Compendium of Chemical Terminology , hydrolysis , accessed 2007-01-23 .
Simplified: Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction or process in which a chemical compound reacts with water.Compendium of Chemical Terminology , hydrolysis , accessed 2007-01-23 .