dissimilate

[ dih-sim-uh-leyt ]
/ dɪˈsɪm əˌleɪt /

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

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

Derived forms of dissimilate

dissimilative, adjective dissimilatory, adjective

Word Origin for dissimilate

C19: from dis- 1 + assimilate