Definition

1. Verb:
   • To become dissimilar or less similar: To undergo a process of becoming different or less alike, often gradually over time.
   • To make dissimilar; cause to become less similar: To actively change something so it becomes less like something else.
   • (Linguistics) To change a sound to become less like a neighboring sound: A specific phonological process where one sound in a word changes to become less similar to a nearby sound, often to make pronunciation easier.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (General use):
  • Over centuries, the dialects of the two regions began to dissimilate.
  • The artist sought to dissimilate her later work from her earlier, more popular style.
• Verb (Linguistics):
  • In some languages, sounds like /l/ and /r/ can dissimilate when they occur too close to each other in a word.

Advanced Usage

• Dissimilation (n.): The process or result of dissimilating. This is the noun form commonly used in linguistics.
  • The change from "marbre" to "marble" in English is an example of dissimilation.
• Dissimilatory (adj.): Having the quality of causing or relating to dissimilation.
  • The linguist studied the dissimilatory process affecting liquid consonants.

Variants and Related Words

• Dissimilation: The noun form denoting the process or result.
• Dissimilatory: An adjective describing something related to this process.
• Assimilate: An antonym meaning to become or make similar.

Synonyms

• Differentiate: To recognize or express a difference.
• Diverge: To develop in a different direction.
• Contrast: To be strikingly different.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning involves moving from similarity to dissimilarity. It is the opposite of "assimilate."
• In linguistics, it is a technical term for a specific sound change pattern, such as one "r" sound changing to an "l" to avoid repetition (e.g., "pilgrim" from Latin "peregrinus").

Verb

1. become dissimilar or less similar
   • These two related tribes of people gradually dissimilated over time
2. make dissimilar; cause to become less similar
3. become dissimilar by changing the sound qualities
   • These consonants dissimilate