as•sim•i•late
Pronunciation: (v.u-sim'u-lāt"n.u-sim'u-lit, -lāt"), [key]
— v., n. -lat•ed, -lat•ing,
—v.t.
- to take in and incorporate as one's own; absorb: He assimilated many new experiences on his European trip.
- to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust: to assimilate the new immigrants.
- to convert (food) to substances suitable for incorporation into the body and its tissues.
- to cause to resemble (usually fol. by to or with).
- to compare; liken (usually fol. by to or with).
- to modify by assimilation.
—v.i.
- to be or become absorbed.
- to conform or adjust to the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group, nation, or the like: The new arrivals assimilated easily and quickly.
- (of food) to be converted into the substance of the body; be absorbed into the system.
- to bear a resemblance (usually fol. by to or with).
- to become modified by assimilation.
—n.
- something that is assimilated.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.