absorb

ab·sorb

verb \əb-ˈsȯrb, -ˈzȯrb\

Definition of ABSORB

transitive verb

1

: to take in and make part of an existent whole <the capacity of China to absorb invaders>

2

a : to suck up or take up <a sponge absorbs water> <charcoal absorbs gas> <plant roots absorb water> b : to take in : acquire, learn <convictions absorbed in youth — M. R. Cohen> c : use up, consume <the fever absorbed her strength>

3

: to engage or engross wholly <absorbed in thought>

4

a (1) : to receive without recoil or echo <provided with a sound-absorbing surface> (2) : endure, sustain <absorbing hardships> (3) : assume, bear <the expenses were absorbed by the company> b : to transform (radiant energy) into a different form especially with a resulting rise in temperature <the earth absorbs the sun's rays>

— ab·sorb·abil·i·ty \əb-ˌsȯr-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌzȯr-\ noun

— ab·sorb·able \əb-ˈsȯr-bə-bəl, -ˈzȯr-\ adjective

— ab·sorb·er noun

Examples of ABSORB

1. a fabric that absorbs sweat
2. The walls are made of a material that absorbs sound.
3. absorbing heat from the sun
4. She is good at absorbing information.
5. He has retained the values that he absorbed as a young man.
6. a country that has absorbed many immigrants
7. smaller countries invaded and absorbed by bigger ones
8. His interest in photography absorbs him completely.
9. I was so absorbed by her story that I lost track of time.

Origin of ABSORB

Anglo-French asorbir to swallow up, from Latin absorbēre, from ab- + sorbēre to suck up; akin to Lithuanian surbti to sip, Greek rophein to gulp down

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ABSORB

Synonyms: drink, imbibe, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up

Antonyms: renew, replace

Related Words: gulp, guzzle, quaff, sip, slurp, swallow, swig, swill

Near Antonyms: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Rhymes with ABSORB

adsorb, desorb, resorb