transitive verb assimilated -·lat′ed, assimilating -·lat′·ing

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

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

intransitive verb

1. to become like or alike
2. to be absorbed and incorporated
3. Linguis. to undergo assimilation