dissimilation

[ dih-sim-uh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of making or becoming unlike.
2. Phonetics. the process by which a speech sound becomes different from or less like a neighboring sound, as pilgrim [pil, -grim] from Latin peregrīnus [pe, r, -e-, gree, -n, oo, s], and purple [pur, -p, uh, l] from Old English purpure [poor, -p, oo, -, r, e], or disappears entirely because of a like sound in another syllable, as in the pronunciation [guhv, -, uh, -ner] for governor. Compare assimilation ( def 7 ).
3. Biology. catabolism.

dissimilation

/ ˌdɪsɪmɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of making dissimilar
2. phonetics the alteration or omission of a consonant as a result of being dissimilated
3. biology a less common word for catabolism

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissimilation¹

First recorded in 1820–30; dis- ¹ + (as)similation

Example Sentences

The result has been widespread public furor over crime, cultural dissimilation and fears of terrorism.

From Wall Street Journal

Instead, therefore, of using torture, they employed craft; and though Garnet was an adept in the art of dissimilation, yet he was outwitted on this occasion.

From Project Gutenberg

A number of occupative names have lost the last syllable by dissimilation, e.g.

From Project Gutenberg

The triumph of the form belfry is due to association with bell, but the l is originally due to dissimilation, since we find belfroi also in Old French.

From Project Gutenberg

We have long had the word ‘assimilation’ in our dictionaries; ‘dissimilation’ has not yet found its way into them, but it speedily will.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attitude
• performance
• show