to take in or absorb (a substance), esp as nourishment
to absorb and understand (facts or information) with complete comprehension
(usu + to/with) to make (one thing) similar to another; specif to make (a consonant) similar in sound to a following one
(usu + to/with) to absorb (e.g. immigrants) into a cultural tradition
to become assimilated
assimilable adj
assimilation noun
assimilative adj
assimilator noun
assimilatory /-lət(ə)ri/ adj
[medieval Latin assimilatus, past part. of assimilare from Latin assimulare to make similar, from as- + simulare: see simulate]