Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Assimilate?

\As*sim"i*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assimilated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Assimilating}.] [L. assimilatus, p. p. of assimilare; ad + similare to make like, similis like. See {Similar}, {Assemble}, {Assimilate}.] 1. To bring to a likeness or to conformity; to cause a resemblance between. --Sir M. Hale. To assimilate our law to the law of Scotland. --John Bright. Fast falls a fleecy; the downy flakes Assimilate all objects. --Cowper. 2. To liken; to compa?e. [R.] 3. To appropriate and transform or incorporate into the substance of the assimilating body; to absorb or appropriate, as nourishment; as, food is assimilated and converted into organic tissue. Hence also animals and vegetables may assimilate their nourishment. --Sir I. Newton. His mind had no power to assimilate the lessons. --Merivale.
\As*sim"i*late\, v. i. 1. To become similar or like something else. [R.] 2. To change and appropriate nourishment so as to make it a part of the substance of the assimilating body. Aliment easily assimilated or turned into blood. --Arbuthnot. 3. To be converted into the substance of the assimilating body; to become incorporated; as, some kinds of food assimilate more readily than others. I am a foreign material, and cannot assimilate with the church of England. --J. H. Newman.