Assimilation is when one letter is merged into another.
- The nun in the preposition מן will often assimilate into the first consonant of the noun to which it is prefixed. The assimilated nun is represented by a dagesh-forte. video
- Some of the suffixes in the affix verb forms have a ת. If the verb already ends in a ת, then the two ת join into one with a dagesh-forte. The verb כרת “to cut” is an example
- The final way is in the Hitpael stem. The “hit” prefix will lose its tav whenever it is attached to a verb beginning with a zayin, dalet, or a tet. video The tav becomes a dagesh in the first, root consonant (BBH 34.13).
- First-nun verbs are notorious assimilators. video
No sufformative or pronominal suffix will ever assimilate.
Quiesce, Elide, and Assimilate
Went out for a stroll about half past eight.
Quiesce was seen, but never heard.
Elide disappeared without a word.
Whatever happened to assimilate?
A footprint dagesh points to his fate.
