v. 1 tr. a absorb and digest (food etc.) into the body. b absorb (information etc.) into the mind. c absorb (people) into a larger group. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by to, with) make like; cause to resemble. 3 tr. Phonet. make (a sound) more like another in the same or next word. 4 intr. be absorbed into the body, mind, or a larger group. assimilable adj. assimilation n. assimilative adj. assimilator n. assimilatory adj.
[ ME f. L assimilare (as AD-, similis like) ]