Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 VERB When people such as immigrants assimilate into a community or when that community assimilates them, they become an accepted part of it. □ [V ] There is every sign that new Asian-Americans are just as willing to assimilate. □ [V + into/with ] His family tried to assimilate into the white and Hispanic communities. □ [V pron-refl] The Vietnamese are trying to assimilate themselves and become Americans. [Also V n, V n into n] ●  as|simi|la|tion /əs I m I le I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] They promote social integration and assimilation of minority ethnic groups into the culture.

2 VERB If you assimilate new ideas, techniques, or information, you learn them or adopt them. □ [V n] I was speechless, still trying to assimilate the enormity of what he'd told me. ●  as|simi|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] This technique brings life to instruction and eases assimilation of knowledge.

as|sist ◆◇◇ /əs I st/ (assists , assisting , assisted )

1 VERB If you assist someone, you help them to do a job or task by doing part of the work for them. □ [V n + with ] The family decided to assist me with my chores. □ [be V -ed] Dr Amid was assisted by a young Asian nurse.

2 VERB If you assist someone, you give them information, advice, or money. □ [V n + in ] The public is urgently requested to assist police in tracing this man. □ [V + with ] Foreign Office officials assisted with transport and finance problems. □ [V n] The Authority will provide a welfare worker to assist you. [Also V n to-inf]

3 VERB If something assists in doing a task, it makes the task easier to do. □ [V + in/with ] …a chemical that assists in the manufacture of proteins. □ [V n + in/with ] Here are some good sources of information to assist you in making the best selection. [Also V n to-inf] SYNONYMS assist VERB 1

back:The Prime Minister is backed by the civic movement, Public Against Violence.

support:The vice president insisted that he supported the hard-working people of New York.

aid:…a software system to aid managers in advanced decision-making.

as|sis|tance ◆◇◇ /əs I stəns/

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] If you give someone assistance , you help them do a job or task by doing part of the work for them. □  Since 1976 he has been operating the shop with the assistance of volunteers. □  She can still come downstairs with assistance but she's very weak.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you give someone assistance , you give them information or advice. □  Any assistance you could give the police will be greatly appreciated.

3 N‑UNCOUNT If someone gives a person or country assistance , they help them by giving them money. □  …a viable programme of economic assistance.

4 N‑UNCOUNT If something is done with the assistance of a particular thing, that thing is helpful or necessary for doing it. □  The translations were carried out with the assistance of a medical dictionary.

5 PHRASE Someone or something that is of assistance to you is helpful or useful to you. □  Can I be of any assistance?

6 PHRASE If you come to someone's assistance , you take action to help them. □  The Goodwins, who were staying opposite them, noticed their struggle and came to their assistance. SYNONYMS assistance NOUN 1