assimilate

To assimilate is defined as to become like others, or help another person to adapt to a new environment.

(verb)

An example of someone who may attempt to assimilate a country's customs is an immigrant.

The definition of assimilate is to learn and comprehend.

(verb)

An example of something one might assimilate is the dialect of a different region after spending much time there.

In physiology, to assimilate is for the body to absorb food.

(verb)

An example of something body might assimilate is milk.

See assimilate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to change (food) into a form that can be taken up by, and made part of, the body tissues; absorb into the body
to absorb and incorporate into one's thinking
to absorb (groups of different cultures) into the main cultural body
to make like or alike; cause to resemble: with to
Now Rare to compare or liken
Linguis. to cause to undergo assimilation

Origin: ME assimilaten < L assimilatus, pp. of assimilare < ad-, to + similare, make similar < similis, like: see same

intransitive verb

Related Forms:

See assimilate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing, as·sim·i·lates

verb, transitive

Physiology
a. To consume and incorporate (nutrients) into the body after digestion.
b. To transform (food) into living tissue by the process of anabolism; metabolize constructively.
To incorporate and absorb into the mind: assimilate knowledge.
To make similar; cause to resemble.
Linguistics To alter (a sound) by assimilation.
To absorb (immigrants or a culturally distinct group) into the prevailing culture.

verb, intransitive

To become assimilated.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English assimilaten

Origin: , from Latin assimilāre, assimilāt-, to make similar to

Origin: : ad-, ad-

Origin: + similis, like; see sem-¹ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: