dissimilation

English

Etymology

From dis- +‎ -similation, after assimilation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌdɪsɪmɪˈleɪʃən/

  Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Noun

dissimilation (countable and uncountable, plural dissimilations)

1. The act of dissimilating, of making dissimilar.
2. (microbiology) A dissimilatory process supplying a cell with energy only without assimilation of nutrients. An exergonic process of the microbial catabolic metabolism in which redox-active species participate in oxidation-reduction reactions (exchange of electrons) to deliver the energy needed for sustaining the cell activity. The external substances absorbed by the cell from its environment for producing energy are not assimilated for the synthesis of biomolecules or the fabrication of cell components, but excreted out of the cell after the energy production.
3. (phonology) A phenomenon whereby similar consonant or vowel sounds in a word become less similar, resulting in a form that is easier for the listener to perceive.

Antonyms

• assimilation

Translations

Further reading

• dissimilation on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Noun

dissimilation (countable and uncountable, plural dissimilations)

1. Misspelling of dissimulation.

French

Etymology

From dissimiler +‎ -ation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /di.si.mi.la.sjɔ̃/

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

dissimilation f (plural dissimilations)

1. (phonology) dissimilation

   Antonym: assimilation

Further reading

• “dissimilation”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.