[as.so.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME associat associated, fr. L associatus, pp. of associare to unite, fr. ad- + sociare to join, fr. socius companion--more at social] vt (14c) 1: to join as a partner, friend, or companion
2. obs: to keep company with: attend
3: to join or connect together: combine
4: to bring together or into relationship in any of various intangible ways (as in memory or imagination) ~ vi 1: to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions
2: to combine or join with other parts: unite syn see join
[2]as.so.ciate adj (14c) 1: closely connected (as in function or office) with another
2: closely related esp. in the mind
3: having secondary or subordinate status "~ membership in a society" [3]as.so.ciate n (1533) 1: one associated with another: as a: partner, colleague b: companion, comrade
2. a: an entry-level member (as of a learned society, professional organization, or profession) b: employee, worker 3 often cap: a degree conferred esp. by a junior college "~ in arts" -- as.so.ciate.ship n