[as.sim.i.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [ME, fr. ML assimilatus, pp. of assimilare, fr. L assimulare to make similar, fr. ad- + simulare to make similar, simulate] vt (15c) 1 a: to take in and appropriate 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 ~ vi: to become assimilated -- as.sim.i.la.tor n 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.
[2]as.sim.i.late n (1935): something that is assimilated