rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryassociateMaking a connection
verb / noun / adjective

associate

uh-SOH-see-ayt/əˈsəʊsieɪt/

To establish a connection between people or things.

The adult associates the rose's fragrance with roses in the family garden.

Adult smells a rose and remembers a similar rose in a small uncaptioned thought vignette of family garden, clear mental connection.
Etymology
asLatinto, toward
+sociateLatinunite with

The pieces express joining one thing to another. The earlier sense of joining in company becomes a mental act here: bringing things together in thought.

In context

Dr. Tracey Marks5:08
body sensation that you associate with feeling anxious.
6 Misconceptions People With Health Anxiety Have

More examples

  • She met a business associate for lunch.
  • The two organizations associated themselves with the campaign.
  • The university and its associate institutions share research facilities.

Forms

associate · associates · associated · associating

association noun — A connection or organized group of people.

Similar words

connect
Is broader and can describe direct physical joining.
link
Suggests a recognizable relationship between people, things, or ideas.