assimilate

Syllabification: (as·sim·i·late)

Definition of assimilate

[with object]

1take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully:Marie tried to assimilate the week’s events
(usually 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 [no object]:the converts were assimilated into the society of their conquerors
(usually 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

2cause (something) to resemble; liken:philosophers had assimilated thought to perception
[no object] come to resemble:the churches assimilated to a certain cultural norm
Phonetics make (a sound) more like another in the same or next word.

Derivatives

late Middle English: from Latin assimilat- 'absorbed, incorporated', from the verb assimilare, from ad- 'to' + similis 'like'

Definition of assimilate in the British & World English dictionary