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assimilate

 - 6 dictionary results

as⋅sim⋅i⋅late

  [v. uh-sim-uh-leyt; n. uh-sim-uh-lit, -leyt] verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to take in and incorporate as one's own; absorb: He assimilated many new experiences on his European trip.
2. to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust: to assimilate the new immigrants.
3. Physiology. to convert (food) to substances suitable for incorporation into the body and its tissues.
4. to cause to resemble (usually fol. by to or with).
5. to compare; liken (usually fol. by to or with).
6. Phonetics. to modify by assimilation.
–verb (used without object)
7. to be or become absorbed.
8. to conform or adjust to the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group, nation, or the like: The new arrivals assimilated easily and quickly.
9. Physiology. (of food) to be converted into the substance of the body; be absorbed into the system.
10. to bear a resemblance (usually fol. by to or with).
11. Phonetics. to become modified by assimilation.
–noun
12. something that is assimilated.
Use assimilate in a Sentence
Origin:
1570–80; < L assimilātus likened to, made like (ptp. of assimilāre), equiv. to as- as- + simil- (see similar ) + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
as⋅sim⋅i⋅la⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To assimilate
as·sim·i·late   (ə-sĭm'ə-lāt')   
v.   as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing, as·sim·i·lates

v.   tr.

  1. Physiology

    1. To consume and incorporate (nutrients) into the body after digestion.

    2. To transform (food) into living tissue by the process of anabolism; metabolize constructively.

  2. To incorporate and absorb into the mind: assimilate knowledge.

  3. To make similar; cause to resemble.

  4. Linguistics To alter (a sound) by assimilation.

  5. To absorb (immigrants or a culturally distinct group) into the prevailing culture.

v.   intr.
To become assimilated.

[Middle English assimilaten, from Latin assimilāre, assimilāt-, to make similar to : ad-, ad- + similis, like; see sem-1 in Indo-European roots.]
as·sim'i·la'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

assimilate 
1528 (implied in assimilative), from L. assimilatus, pp. of assimilare "to make like," from ad- "to" + simulare "make similar," from similis "like, resembling" (see similar). Originally trans. (with to); intrans. use first recorded 1837.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1as·sim·i·late
Pronunciation: &-'sim-&-"lAt
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -lat·ed;-lat·ing
transitive senses
1 : to take in and appropriate as nourishment : absorb into the system
2 : to absorb into thecultural tradition of a population or group assimilated many immigrants> assimilate intransitive senses
1 : to become absorbed orincorporated into the system assimilate more readily than others>
2 : to become culturally assimilated

Main Entry: 2as·sim·i·late
Pronunciation: -l&t, -"lAt
Function: noun
: something that is assimilated
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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assimilate as·sim·i·late (ə-sĭm'ə-lāt')
v. as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing, as·sim·i·lates

  1. To consume and incorporate nutrients into the body after digestion.

  2. To transform food into living tissue by the process of anabolism.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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