Main Entry: ¹as·sim·i·late

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈsi-mə-ˌlāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): as·sim·i·lat·ed; as·sim·i·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, likenintransitive 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.