What term describes the process by which one culture is absorbed into another, leading to the disappearance of the former?

The term that accurately describes the process by which one culture is absorbed into another, resulting in the disappearance of the former, is assimilation. Assimilation occurs when individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs, values, and beliefs of another dominant culture to such an extent that the original culture becomes less distinct or even vanishes entirely. This often involves relinquishing one's own cultural identity in favor of the dominant culture's characteristics.

In contrast, integration refers to the process where different cultural groups coexist, maintaining their unique identities while participating in the larger society. Acculturation is about the exchange of cultural traits and ideas where a culture adopts certain elements from another without completely losing its own identity. Multiculturalism celebrates and promotes the coexistence of diverse cultures within a society, advocating for the recognition and appreciation of different cultural identities rather than the absorption of one culture into another. Therefore, the concept of assimilation is central in understanding this particular cultural dynamic where the original culture fades away through absorption.