v. as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing, as·sim·i·lates v.tr. 1. 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. 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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] as·simi·la′tor n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.