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