What does dissimilated mean?
Dissimilated is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'dissimilate', a technical term from linguistics meaning to make one of two similar sounds in a word less like the other. Sound change often pushes neighbouring identical or similar consonants apart: speakers find sequences such as two r's or two l's hard to articulate, so one gradually changes. The English word 'marble', for instance, reflects a form whose second r was dissimilated away from the first. The term derives ultimately from the Latin 'simulare', to make like or imitate, with the prefix 'dis-' reversing the sense; its closest relative is 'assimilation', which describes the opposite process of sounds becoming more alike. Dissimilated appears almost exclusively in scholarly writing on phonology and historical language change.
Underwent or caused dissimilation; became different from a similar adjacent sound.
"The medial consonant was dissimilated during the Middle English period."
Almost always found in the passive voice in discussions of historical sound change.
Describing a speech sound that has been made unlike another formerly identical or similar sound in the same word.
"The dissimilated form spread rapidly across regional dialects."
Say 'surprise' quickly as 'suprise' — you've just dissimilated a pair of r-sounds, doing unconsciously what linguists have named since the 19th century.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dissimilated
Dissimilated comes from the verb 'dissimilate', formed from the prefix 'dis-' plus 'similate', from Latin 'simulare' ('to make like, imitate'), itself derived from 'similis' ('like, resembling'). The linguistic sense emerged in nineteenth-century comparative philology, when scholars needed a term for the opposite of assimilation. It shares its root with words such as 'simulate', 'assimilate', 'similar', and 'dissemble' (which entered English via French from the same Latin verb).
Related word forms
How dissimilated is actually used
Primarily a technical term used in linguistics and philology; rare in everyday speech. Usually appears as a passive participle ('was dissimilated') describing historical sound change rather than an active verb.
Easily confused with dissimilated
'Dissimilated' refers to sounds becoming less alike in linguistic change, while 'dissimulated' means concealed or disguised under a feigned appearance.
'Assimilated' describes sounds becoming more alike (or a person being absorbed into a group), the opposite process of dissimilation.