Definition of Absorb

1. Verb. Become imbued. "The liquids, light, and gases absorb"

Category relationships: Chemical Science, Chemistry
Specialized synonyms: Reabsorb, Resorb, Assimilate, Imbibe
Generic synonyms: Sorb, Take Up
Derivative terms: Absorbate, Absorbent, Absorbent, Absorber, Absorption, Absorptive

2. Verb. Take up mentally. "He absorbed the knowledge or beliefs of his tribe"
Exact synonyms: Assimilate, Ingest, Take In
Generic synonyms: Acquire, Larn, Learn
Specialized synonyms: Imbibe
Derivative terms: Absorption, Assimilation, Assimilation, Assimilator

3. Verb. Take up, as of debts or payments. "Absorb the costs for something"
Exact synonyms: Take Over
Generic synonyms: Fund

4. Verb. Take in, also metaphorically. "She drew strength from the minister's words"
Exact synonyms: Draw, Imbibe, Soak Up, Sop Up, Suck, Suck Up, Take In, Take Up
Specialized synonyms: Mop, Mop Up, Wipe Up, Blot, Sponge Up
Derivative terms: Absorber, Absorption, Imbiber, Suck, Sucker
Also: Draw In, Draw In, Suck In

5. Verb. Cause to become one with. "The sales tax is absorbed into the state income tax"

6. Verb. Suck or take up or in. "A black star absorbs all matter"
Exact synonyms: Take In
Specialized synonyms: Suck, Suck In
Derivative terms: Absorbable, Absorbent, Absorption, Absorptive
Antonyms: Emit

7. Verb. Devote (oneself) fully to. "He immersed himself into his studies"
Exact synonyms: Engross, Engulf, Immerse, Plunge, Soak Up, Steep
Related verbs: Immerse, Plunge
Generic synonyms: Center, Centre, Concentrate, Focus, Pore, Rivet
Specialized synonyms: Drink, Drink In
Derivative terms: Absorption, Engrossment, Engrossment, Engrossment, Immersion

8. Verb. Assimilate or take in. "The immigrants were quickly absorbed into society"
Generic synonyms: Invite, Receive, Take In

9. Verb. Consume all of one's attention or time. "They absorb themselves"; "Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely"
Exact synonyms: Engage, Engross, Occupy
Specialized synonyms: Involve, Consume, Rivet
Generic synonyms: Interest
Derivative terms: Absorption, Engrossment, Engrossment, Engrossment, Occupation, Occupation

Definition of Absorb

1. v. t. To swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up; to include.

Definition of Absorb

1. Verb. (context: transitive archaic) To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up. ¹

2. Verb. (transitive) To incorporate; to assimilate. ¹

3. Verb. (context: transitive) To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals of the body. ¹

4. Verb. (context: transitive) To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, '''absorbed''' in study or in the pursuit of wealth. ¹

5. Verb. (context: transitive physics chemistry) To take in radiant energy and convert it to a different form of energy. ¹

6. Verb. (context: transitive business) To assume or pay for as part of a commercial transaction. ¹

7. Verb. To receive the impact of without recoil or echo. ¹

8. Verb. To defray the costs. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Absorb

1. to take up or in [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Absorb

1. To take up liquid or other matter. See: absorption. (15 Jan 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Absorb

absolvatory
absolve
absolved
absolvent
absolvents
absolver
absolvers
absolves
absolving
absolvitor
absolvitory
absolvitur
absolviture
absonant
absonous
absorb (current term)
absorbabilities
absorbability
absorbable
absorbable gelatin film
absorbable gelatin sponge
absorbable surgical suture
absorbably
absorbance
absorbances
absorbancies
absorbancy
absorbancy index
absorbant
absorbants

Literary usage of Absorb

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of Chemical Solubilities: Inorganic by Arthur Messenger. Comey (1896)
"vols, rectified naphtha of 0*784 sp. pr. abs- -rb 2-Я Y .- 100 vols, oil of lavender of O'sM) sp. рт. absorb ?75 100 vole, olive oil of 0-915 sp. KT. absorb ..."

2. The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, Paul Leicester Ford (1898)
"... The tendency of the legislature to absorb the other departments—Reasons for this—-An instance of encroachments in Virginia— Experience in Pennsylvania. ..."

3. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1905)
"As time rolls on the greatest names more and more fully absorb the activity of a whole epoch. METROLOGY. Finally, it will hardly be possible to consider the ..."

4. Contributions to Molecular Physics in the Domain of Radiant Heat: A Series by John Tyndall (1872)
"I- Proof that White Bodies sometimes absorb Heat more copiously than Dark ones.—Explanation, FRANKLIN placed cloths of various colours upon snow and allowed ..."

5. Annual Report by Illinois Farmers' Institute (1903)
"His companions absorb from the college boy's atmosphere that which, makes them want to develop their own resources and possibilities. ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Absorb on Dictionary.com!Search for Absorb on Thesaurus.com!Search for Absorb on Google!Search for Absorb on Wikipedia!

Search

Translations