WordWeb Online

1. A linguistic process by which one of two similar sounds in a word becomes less like the other
   "the Old French MARBRE became the English MARBLE by dissimilation"
    
2. Breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with release of energy
   - catabolism, katabolism, destructive metabolism

Derived forms: dissimilations

See also: dissimilate

Type of: biological process, linguistic process, organic process

Part of: metabolic process, metabolism

Encyclopedia: Dissimilation