dissimilation
[dih-sim-uh-ley-shuh n]
noun
the act of making or becoming unlike.
Phonetics. the process by which a speech sound becomes different from or less like a neighboring sound, as pilgrim [pil-grim] /ˈpɪl grɪm/ from Latin peregrīnus [per-e-gree-noo s] /ˌpɛr ɛˈgri nʊs/, and purple [pur-puh l] /ˈpɜr pəl/ from Old English purpure [poo r-poo-re] /ˈpʊər pʊ rɛ/, or disappears entirely because of a like sound in another syllable, as in the pronunciation [guhv-uh-ner] /ˈgʌv ə nər/ for governor.Compare assimilation(def 7).
Biology. catabolism.
Origin of dissimilation
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for dissimilation
performance, attitude, show, stance, stunt, put-on, pose, phony, simulation, stall, fake, front, affectation, bit, posture, pretense, sham, feigning, dissimilation, chaserExamples from the Web for dissimilation
Historical Examples of dissimilation
The female name Annabel is a dissimilation of Amabel, whence Mabel.
The Romance of Words (4th ed.)Ernest Weekley
Three of the most important of these are assimilation, dissimilation, and metathesis.
The Romance of Words (4th ed.)Ernest Weekley
Dissimilation is first found in philological works published in the decade 1874-85.
English Past and PresentRichard Chevenix Trench
In the family name Hansom, for Hanson, we have dissimilation of n (see p. 57).
The Romance of Words (4th ed.)Ernest Weekley
Let us first of all glance at some of the most important phenomena in connection with assimilation and dissimilation.
An Introduction to PsychologyWilhelm Max Wundt
dissimilation
noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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