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.