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 from Latin peregrīnus and purple from Old English purpure or disappears entirely because of a like sound in another syllable, as in the pronunciation for governor.

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.

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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.

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

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

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

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Related Words

• attitude 
• performance 
• show