Mnemonic:To assimilate an idea is to take it in as thoroughly, as though eating it. (Your body assimilates
nutrients from the food you eat.) To assimilate knowledge is to absorb it, to let it soak in.
People can be assimilated, too.
- Margaret didn’t have any friends when she first went to the new school, but she was
gradually assimilated—she became part of the new community. When she was chosen
for the cheerleading squad, her assimilation was complete.
astute (uh STOOT) adj shrewd; keen in judgment
Mnemonic:- Morris was an astute judge of character; he was very good at seeing what people were
really like despite what they pretended to be. - Yael, who notices everything important and many things that other people don’t see, is an
astute observer.