I. əˈsiməˌlāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin assimilatus, past participle of assimilare, from Latin assimulare, assimilare, adsimulare, adsimilare to make similar, compare, from ad- + simulare, similare to make similar, simulate — more at simulate
transitive verb
1.
a. : to appropriate and transform or incorporate into the substance of the assimilator : take in and appropriate as nourishment : absorb into the system
the body assimilates digested food into its protoplasm
b. : to take in and absorb as one's own : receive into the mind and consider and thoroughly comprehend
the wide range of influences … which the assimilated in his years of apprenticeship — Herbert Read
an amazing amount of scientific information which he had assimilated — V.G.Heiser
2.
a. : to make similar or alike : cause to resemble — usually used with to or with
assimilate our law in this respect to the law of Scotland — John Bright
stains, and vegetation, which assimilate the architecture with the work of nature — John Ruskin
b. : to alter by the process of assimilation
the prefix im- is an assimilated form of in-
c. : to absorb into the cultural tradition of a population or group
the community assimilated persons of many nationalities
3. : to represent as similar or alike : compare , liken
assimilated the career of a conqueror to that of a simple robber — W.E.H.Lecky
— usually used with following to or with
4. archaic : to bring into conformity : adapt
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to become of the same substance : become absorbed or incorporated into the system
some foods assimilate more readily than others
b. : to become absorbed
cannot assimilate with the Church of England — J.H.Newman
2.
a. : to be or become similar or alike : resemble — usually used with following to or with
assimilates with the character of English scenery
b. : to become altered by the process of assimilation
the sound m often assimilates before a following n
c. : to become culturally assimilated : undergo cultural assimilation
3. archaic : to become adapted : conform
II. -_lə̇t, -ˌlāt, usu -d.+V noun
( -s )
: something that is assimilated