I. as·so·ci·ate ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt, -sē- verb
( -at·ed ; -at·ing )
Etymology: Middle English associat associated, from Latin associatus, past participle of associare to unite, from ad- + sociare to join, from socius companion — more at social
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to join as a partner, friend, or companion
2. obsolete : 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)
intransitive verb
1. : to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions
2. : to combine or join with other parts : unite
Synonyms: see join
II. as·so·ciate ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -sē-, -ˌāt, -shət adjective
Date: 14th century
1. : closely connected (as in function or office) with another
2. : closely related especially in the mind
3. : having secondary or subordinate status
associate membership in a society
III. as·so·ciate same as 2 noun
Date: 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 capitalized : a degree conferred especially by a junior college
associate in arts
• as·so·ciate·ship -ˌship noun