dissimilation

[ dih-sim-uh-ley-shuh n ]

/ dɪˌsɪm əˈleɪ ʃən /

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

First recorded in 1820–30; dis-¹ + (as)similation

We have seen (p. 57) that the letters l, n, r are particularly subject to dissimilation and metathesis.

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 Psychology |Wilhelm Max Wundt
In this combination of the two acts an assimilation process and a dissimilation process are joined together.

An Introduction to Psychology |Wilhelm Max Wundt
To cause the opposite process of dissimilation, we draw one large sector among several smaller sectors.

An Introduction to Psychology |Wilhelm Max Wundt

Dissimilation is first found in philological works published in the decade 1874-85.

English Past and Present |Richard Chevenix Trench

dissimilation

/ (ˌdɪsɪmɪˈleɪʃən) /

the act or an instance of making dissimilar

phonetics the alteration or omission of a consonant as a result of being dissimilated

biology a less common word for catabolism