Pronunciation: ə - ' si-m ə - ˌ l ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -lat · ed ; -lat · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin assimilatus, past participle of assimilare, from Latin assimulare to make similar, from ad- + simulare to make similar, simulate
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 a : to take in and utilize as nourishment : absorb into the system b : to take into the mind and thoroughly comprehend
2 a : to make similar b : to alter by assimilation c : to absorb into the culture or mores of a population or group
3 : COMPARE , LIKEN
intransitive verb : to become assimilated
– as · sim · i · la · tor \ - ˌ l ā -t ə r \ noun
usage When assimilate is followed by a preposition, transitive senses 2a and 2c commonly take to and into and less frequently with; 2b regularly takes to; sense 3 most often takes to and sometimes with. The most frequent prepositions used with the intransitive sense are to and into.