v., n., & adj.
--v.
1. tr. connect in the mind (associate holly with Christmas).
2 tr. join or combine.
3 refl. make oneself a partner; declare oneself in agreement (associate myself in your endeavour; did not want to associate ourselves with the plan).
4 intr. combine for a common purpose.
5 intr. (usu. foll. by with) meet frequently or have dealings.
--n.
1. a business partner or colleague.
2 a friend or companion.
3 a subordinate member of a body, institute, etc.
4 a thing connected with another.
--adj.
1. joined in companionship, function, or dignity.
2 allied; in the same group or category.
3 of less than full status (associate member).
Derivatives:
associateship n. associator n. associatory adj.
Etymology: E f. L associatus past part. of associare (as AD-, socius sharing, allied)