disassimilation
(dɪsəˌsɪmɪˈleɪʃən)
[f. dis- 9 + assimilation.]
The process which reverses assimilation; in Physiol. the transformation of assimilated substances into less complex and waste substances; catabolism.
| 1880 Libr. Univ. Knowl. X. 751 Appropriation of new material, and the disassimilation, or elimination of old. 1883 Glasg. Weekly Her. 5 May 8/1 Coffee always causes an increased excretion and an augmented disassimilation. 1883 Syd. Soc. Lex., Disassimilation, the downward metabolism of the body, by which its components form lower planes of chemical compounds whilst force of one kind or another is disengaged. 1889 J. S. Burdon-Sanderson Addr. to Brit. Assoc. in Nature 26 Sept. 525/1 The words..‘anabolism’, which..means winding up, and ‘catabolism’, running down, are the creation of Dr. Gaskell. Prof. Hering's equivalents for these are ‘assimilation’, which..means storage of oxygen and oxidizable material, and ‘disassimilation’, discharge of these in the altered form of carbon dioxide and water. |
So disaˈssimilate v., to transform by catabolism.
| In mod. Dicts. (1894). |