ASSIMILATE


Meaning of ASSIMILATE in English

I. ə-ˈsi-mə-ˌlāt verb

( -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 -ˌlā-tər 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.

II. -lət, -ˌlāt noun

Date: 1935

: something that is assimilated

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.