dissimilated

Dissimilated is the adjective form of the verb dissimilate, meaning made dissimilar or rendered less alike. In linguistic usage, dissimilation refers to a phonological process in which two neighboring sounds become less alike, often to ease articulation or to reduce confusion between similar sounds. The term dissimilated therefore describes a form or sequence that has undergone such a change.

In linguistics, dissimilation contrasts with assimilation, where sounds become more alike. Dissimilation can occur within a word or across morpheme boundaries and can be regressive (where a later sound changes to be less like an earlier one) or, less commonly, progressive (where an earlier sound changes to be less like a following one). The process is driven by perceptual distinctness, ease of pronunciation, and phonotactic constraints of a language. It is widespread across languages and can affect consonants, vowels, or both.

Typical targets of dissimilation are similar consonants or vowel sequences in adjacent positions. Consonantal dissimilation often involves changes in place or manner of articulation or even deletion, while vocalic dissimilation can alter vowel quality or length to reduce redundancy. Dissimilation can be a historical change observed in language evolution or a productive process in the formation of new words and loanwords, where a borrowed form adapts to the phonology of the recipient language.

In summary, dissimilated describes something altered through dissimilation—an adjustment that reduces likeness between neighboring sounds. The concept is central to phonology and historical linguistics, helping explain why many languages exhibit less repetitive or more varied sound sequences over time.