Search Result for "dissimilation": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

1. a linguistic process by which one of two similar sounds in a word becomes less like the other;
- Example: "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;
[syn: catabolism, katabolism, dissimilation, destructive metabolism]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dissimilation \Dis*sim`i*la"tion\, n.
   The act of making dissimilar. --H. Sweet.
   [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

dissimilation
    n 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 [syn:
       catabolism, katabolism, dissimilation, destructive
       metabolism] [ant: anabolism, constructive metabolism]