associate

adjective

1
having partial rights and privileges or subordinate status
an associate member
an associate professor

1
a degree granted by a two-year college on successful completion of the undergraduates course of studies
2
any event that usually accompanies or is closely connected with another
first was the lightning and then its thunderous associate
3
a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
he had to consult his associate before continuing
4
a person with subordinate membership in a society, institution, or commercial enterprise
associates in the law firm bill at a lower rate than do partners
5
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
drinking companions
comrades in arms

1
make a logical or causal connection
I cannot connect these two pieces of evidence in my mind
colligate these facts
2
bring or come into association or action
The churches consociated to fight their dissolution
3
keep company with; hang out with
He associates with strange people
She affiliates with her colleagues

Also useful for “associate”:Unscrambler— Rearrange the letters in “associate”