Disassimilation

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Disassimilation \Dis`as*sim`i*la"tion\, n. (Physics)
     The decomposition of complex substances, within the organism,
     into simpler ones suitable only for excretion, with evolution
     of energy, -- a normal nutritional process the reverse of
     assimilation; downward metabolism; -- now more commonly
     called {catabolism}.


     [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
           The breaking down of already existing chemical
           compounds into simpler ones, sometimes called
           disassimilation.                         --Martin.
     [1913 Webster]