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dissimilation
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dissimilation

linguistics
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Dissimilation is a linguistic process where one sound becomes different from a neighboring sound. This is the opposite of assimilation, where sounds become more similar to each other.12

An example of dissimilation is the word "pilgrim," which comes from the Latin word peregrinus. The "l" in "pilgrim" developed from dissimilation of the first "r" sound, influenced by the second "r".1

Dissimilation, along with assimilation, is often explained by the principle of "ease of articulation," suggesting that these changes make speech easier to produce.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Linguistic assimilation?
  2. linguistics - Sound change

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