verb , adjective , noun
■ verb / əˈsəʊʃieɪt; -sieɪt; NAmE əˈsoʊ-/
1.
[ vn ] associate sb/sth (with sb/sth) to make a connection between people or things in your mind :
I always associate the smell of baking with my childhood.
He is closely associated in the public mind with horror movies.
2.
[ v ] associate with sb to spend time with sb, especially a person or people that sb else does not approve of
SYN mix :
I don't like you associating with those people.
3.
[ vn ] associate yourself with sth ( formal ) to show that you support or agree with sth :
May I associate myself with the Prime Minister's remarks? (= I agree with them)
OPP dissociate
■ adjective / əˈsəʊʃiət; -siət; NAmE əˈsoʊ-/ [ only before noun ]
1.
(often in titles) of a lower rank, having fewer rights in a particular profession or organization :
associate membership of the European Union
an associate member / director / editor
2.
joined to or connected with a profession or an organization :
an associate company in Japan
■ noun /əˈsəʊʃiət; NAmE əˈsoʊ-/
1.
a person that you work with, do business with or spend a lot of time with :
business associates
2.
(also Associate ) an associate adjective (1) member
3.
Associate ( US ) a person who has an Associate's degree (= one that is given after completing two years of study at a junior college)
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a verb in the sense join with in a common purpose ; as an adjective in the sense allied ): from Latin associat- joined, from the verb associare , from ad- to + socius sharing, allied.