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

Three of the most important of these are assimilation, dissimilation, and metathesis.

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