verb (used with object), as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing.
- 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.
- Physiology. to convert (food) to substances suitable for incorporation into the body and its tissues.
- to cause to resemble (usually followed by to or with).
- to compare; liken (usually followed by to or with).
- Phonetics. to modify by assimilation.
verb (used without object), as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing.
- 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.
- Physiology. (of food) to be converted into the substance of the body; be absorbed into the system.
- to bear a resemblance (usually followed by to or with).
- Phonetics. to become modified by assimilation.
noun
- something that is assimilated.
verb
- (tr) to learn (information, a procedure, etc) and understand it thoroughly
- (tr) to absorb (food) and incorporate it into the body tissues
- (intr) to become absorbed, incorporated, or learned and understood
- (usually foll by into or with) to bring or come into harmony; adjust or become adjustedthe new immigrants assimilated easily
- (usually foll by to or with) to become or cause to become similar
- (usually foll by to) phonetics to change (a consonant) or (of a consonant) to be changed into another under the influence of one adjacent to it(n) often assimilates to ŋ before (k), as in “include”
early 15c., from Latin assimilatus “feigned, pretended, fictitious,” past participle of assimilare “to make like,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + simulare “make similar,” from similis “like, resembling” (see similar). Originally transitive (with to); intransitive use first recorded 1837. Related: Assimilated; assimilating.
v.
- To consume and incorporate nutrients into the body after digestion.
- To transform food into living tissue by the process of anabolism.