as·sim·i·la·tive \ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌlād.iv, -_ləd.-\adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin assimilativus, literally, making similar, from Latin assimulatus, assimilatus + -ivus -ive : tending to, characterized by, or causing assimilation : assimilating < an assimilative pattern > < an assimilative process >