as·sim·i·late (ə-sĭm'ə-lāt')

v., -lat·ed, -lat·ing, -lates.

v.tr.

1. Physiology.
   1. To consume and incorporate (nutrients) into the body after digestion.
   2. 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.]

assimilator as·sim'i·la'tor n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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