dissimilation

dis·sim·i·la·tion

D0289200 (dĭ-sĭm′ə-lā′shən)n.1. The act or process of making or becoming dissimilar.2. Linguistics The process by which one of two similar or identical sounds in a word becomes less like the other, such as the l in English marble (from French marbre).

dissimilation

(ˌdɪsɪmɪˈleɪʃən) n1. the act or an instance of making dissimilar2. (Phonetics & Phonology) phonetics the alteration or omission of a consonant as a result of being dissimilated3. (Biochemistry) biology a less common word for catabolism

dis•sim•i•la•tion

(dɪˌsɪm əˈleɪ ʃən)

n. 1. the act of making or becoming unlike. 2. the process by which a speech sound becomes different from a neighboring sound, as in purple from Old English purpure, or disappears because of an identical sound nearby, as in the pronunciation of governor as (ˈgʌv ə nər) instead of (ˈgʌv ər nər) [1820–30]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	dissimilation - 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"linguistic process - a process involved in human language
	2.	dissimilation - breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with release of energycatabolism, destructive metabolism, katabolismmetabolic process, metabolism - the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for lifebiological process, organic process - a process occurring in living organisms

Translations

Dissimilationdissimilation

Dissimilation

in biology, the opposite of assimilation in the process of metabolism, consisting in the decomposition of organic compounds and conversion of protein, nucleic acids, fats, and carbohydrates (including those ingested) into simple substances. A number of dissimilation processes—respiration, fermentation, and glycolysis—play the central role in metabolism. As a result of these processes, energy contained in the molecules of complex organic compounds is released, partially to be transformed into adenosinephosphoric acids (chiefly ATP). The fundamental end products of dissimilation in all organisms are water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. In animals these products are eliminated as they accumulate. In plant organisms CO₂, partially, and NH₃, totally, are used in the biosynthesis of organic matter, thus serving as the primary materials for assimilation.

The inseparable link between dissimilation and assimilation assures constant tissue renewal in organisms. Thus, in human blood one-half of the existing albumin is exchanged for new albumin molecules in ten days; the life span of erythrocytes is about four months. The relationship of the intensity of assimilation and dissimilation changes in relation to the stage of development, age, and physiological condition of the organism. The growth and development of the organism are characterized by the predominance of assimilation, which is manifested in the formation of new cells, tissues, and organs; their growth and differentiation; and in a general increase in body weight. In some pathological conditions and in starvation dissimilation usually predominates over assimilation, leading to a decrease in body weight.

S. E. SEVERIN and G. A. SOLOV’EVA

Dissimilation

in linguistics, one of the kinds of combinative sound changes in the course of speech. It occurs when one of two identical or similar speech sounds (adjacent or nonadjacent) changes to another distinct or less similar sound. Two examples of dissimilation are Latin peregrinum and Russian piligrim and Latinfebruaris and Russian fevral’.

dissimilation

noun

Synonyms for dissimilation

noun a linguistic process by which one of two similar sounds in a word becomes less like the other

Related Words

linguistic process

noun breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with release of energy

Synonyms

catabolism
destructive metabolism
katabolism

Related Words

metabolic process
metabolism
biological process
organic process