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.
