dissimilation

• 指相似元素变得不那么相似的过程；在语言学中用于描述音变中的异化，在生物学中指复杂物质分解为更简单物质并释放能量的代谢过程。

A noun referring to a process in which similar elements become less alike, used in linguistics for sound changes and in biology for the metabolic breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones with energy release.

1. Linguistic processC1formal

   A change in speech sounds where one of two similar or identical sounds in a word becomes different or less like the other, often to make pronunciation easier.

   语言过程

   • The change from Latin 'peregrinus' to Italian 'pellegrino' shows dissimilation of the first 'r' to 'l'.
   • Dissimilation often occurs in languages to avoid repeating the same sound.
   • The word 'marble' comes from Latin 'marmor' through a process of dissimilation.

2. Biological processC1formalscientific

   The metabolic breakdown of complex substances within living organisms into simpler compounds, which releases energy.

   异化作用

   • Cellular respiration is a key example of dissimilation in animals.
   • During dissimilation, nutrients are broken down to provide energy for the organism.
   • Plants also undergo dissimilation, especially at night when they break down stored starches.

   同义词catabolismkatabolism

   反义词assimilation