assimilate; integrate; become similar
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to assimilate; to make different things gradually become similar or identical
Commonly used in sociological, cultural, or biological contexts to describe the process where a minority group or distinct entity adopts the characteristics of a dominant group.
The descendants of immigrants were gradually assimilated into the local culture.
Dominant cultures often assimilate weaker cultures.
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He was assimilated by his classmates and started wearing the same clothes as them.
verb
to assimilate (phonologically); (of a sound) become identical or similar to a neighboring sound
technicalA phonological process where one sound changes to become more like a nearby sound, such as nasal assimilation or voicing assimilation.
In spoken language, 'nánmiǎn' is often pronounced as 'námmiǎn', which is an example of phonological assimilation.
In English, the prefix 'in-' assimilates to 'im-' before 'b', as in 'impossible'.
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Some character pronunciations undergo assimilation in Cantonese.