unassimilated
|un-as-sim-i-lat-ed|
🇺🇸
/ˌʌnəˈsɪməˌleɪtɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌnəˈsɪsɪməleɪtɪd/
(unassimilate)
not made similar or absorbed
Etymology
'unassimilated' originates from English, composed of the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') + the past participle 'assimilated', where 'assimilated' comes from Latin 'assimilāre' meaning 'to make similar'.
'assimilāre' (Latin) gave rise to Medieval/Modern Latin and later English 'assimilate'; adding the negative prefix 'un-' produced 'unassimilated' as the adjective/past-participle form in English.
Initially rooted in the Latin sense of 'making similar', the element developed in English to mean both 'made similar/absorbed' (assimilated) and, with 'un-', 'not made similar/not absorbed'; the core negative sense has been stable.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'unassimilate' (to prevent or reverse assimilation, or to remain not assimilated).
The new policy left several groups unassimilated within the larger organization.
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Adjective 1
not assimilated; not absorbed, integrated, or adapted into a larger group, system, or body (e.g., culturally, biologically, chemically).
Many unassimilated communities retain distinct languages and customs.
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Adjective 2
not digested or absorbed (used especially for food or nutrients).
Unassimilated food passed through the digestive tract.
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Last updated: 2025/09/12 22:40