dissimilate

[ dih-sim-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object),dis·sim·i·lat·ed, dis·sim·i·lat·ing.Phonetics.

to modify by dissimilation.

Origin of dissimilate

First recorded in 1835–45; dis-¹ + (as)similate

Other words from dissimilate

dis·sim·i·la·tive, adjective
dis·sim·i·la·to·ry [dih-sim-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /dɪˈsɪm ə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective

Words Nearby dissimilate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for dissimilate

dissimilate

/ (dɪˈsɪmɪˌleɪt) /

verb

to make or become dissimilar
(usually foll by to) phonetics to change or displace (a consonant) or (of a consonant) to be changed to or displaced by (another consonant) so that its manner of articulation becomes less similar to a speech sound in the same word. Thus (r) in the final syllable of French marbre is dissimilated to (l) in its English form marble

Origin of dissimilate

C19: from dis- 1 + assimilate

Derived forms of dissimilate

dissimilative, adjective
dissimilatory, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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