as·sim·i·late / əˈsiməˌlāt/ • v. [tr.] 1. take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully. ∎  (usu. be assimilated) absorb and integrate (people, ideas, or culture) into a wider society or culture: pop trends are assimilated into the mainstream with alarming speed | [intr.] the converts were assimilated into the society of their conquerors. ∎  absorb or integrate and use for one's own benefit: the music business assimilated whatever aspects of punk it could turn into profit. ∎  (usu. be assimilated) (of the body or any biological system) absorb and digest (food or nutrients): the sugars in the fruit are readily assimilated by the body.2. cause (something) to resemble; liken. ∎  [intr.] come to resemble: the churches assimilated to a certain cultural norm. ∎  Phonet. make (a sound) more like another in the same or next word.DERIVATIVES: as·sim·i·la·ble / -ləbəl/ adj.as·sim·i·la·tion / əˌsiməˈlāshən/ n.as·sim·i·la·tive / -ˌlātiv; -lətiv/ adj.as·sim·i·la·tor / -ˌlātər/ n.as·sim·i·la·to·ry / -ləˌtôrē/ adj.

assimilate make like; absorb and incorporate. XV. f. pp. stem of L. assimilāre, f. AS- + similis SIMILAR; see -ATE3.
So assimilation XV. assimilative XIV. — F. or L.

assimilate
1. The portion of the food energy consumed by an organism that is metabolized by that organism. Some food, or in the case of a plant some light energy, may pass through the organism without being used.

2. To engage in assimilation.

assimilate
1. The portion of the food energy consumed by an organism that is metabolized by that organism. Some food, or in the case of a plant some light energy, may pass through the organism without being used.

2. To engage in assimilation.

assimilate The portion of the food energy consumed by an organism that is metabolized by that organism. (Some food may pass through the organism without being used.)