Breakdown of more complex substances into simpler ones with release of energy

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
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 ...

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Catabolism (from Greek κάτω kato , "downward" and βάλλειν ballein , "to throw") is the set of metabolic pathways that breaks down molecules into smaller units that are either oxidized to release energy , or used in other anabolic reactions. Catabolism breaks ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1876, katabolism , "destructive metabolism," from Greek katabole "a throwing down" (also "a foundation"), from kataballein "to throw down," from kata- "down" (see cata- ) + ballein "to throw" (see ballistics ). Barnhart says probably formed in English on ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. breakdown of more complex substances into simpler ones with release of energy [syn: katabolism , dissimilation , destructive metabolism ] [ant: anabolism ]

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. (context biochemistry English) destructive metabolism, usually including the release of energy and breakdown of materials