a.; also 6–7 -ulative. [a. F. assimilatif, -ive, ad. late L. assimilātīv-us: see ASSIMILATE v. and -IVE.]

1

  1.  Of, characterized by, or tending to assimilation.

2

1528.  Paynell, Salerne Regim., 2 C j b. Ruddy fleshe wytnesseth fortitude of vertue assimilative.

3

1669.  W. Simpson, Hydrol. Chym., 66. The fifth or last digestion, viz. the assimilative ferment of the solid parts of the body.

4

1846.  H. Rogers, Ess. (1860), I. 170. He made the contents of books his own by … the powerful assimilative processes of his own intellect.

5

  2.  That may be or has been assimilated.

6

1837.  Southw. Smith, Philos. Health, II. x. 160. To this crude sap … sugar and mucus, assimilative substances, are superadded.

7

1847.  in Craig.

8