absorb

ab·sorb

transitive verb \əb-ˈsȯrb, -ˈzȯrb\

Definition of ABSORB

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

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

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

Rhymes with ABSORB

adsorb, desorb, resorb

ab·sorb

transitive verb \əb-ˈsȯ(ə)rb, -ˈzȯ(ə)rb\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ABSORB

1

: to take up especially by capillary, osmotic, solvent, or chemical action <surgical sutures which can be absorbed by the body> <the blood in the lungs absorbs oxygen>

2

: to transform (radiant energy) into a different form usually with a resulting rise in temperature <chlorophyll reflects green light and absorbs the other colors of light>

—ab·sorb·able \əb-ˈsȯr-bə-bəl, -ˈzȯr-\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation) adjective

—ab·sorb·er noun