ab·sorb ( b-sôrb , -zôrb )tr.v. ab·sorbed, ab·sorb·ing, ab·sorbs 1. To take (something) in through or as through pores or interstices. 2. To occupy the full attention, interest, or time of; engross. See Synonyms at monopolize. 3. To retain (radiation or sound, for example) wholly, without reflection or transmission. 4. To take in; assimilate: immigrants who were absorbed into the social mainstream. 5. To learn; acquire: "Matisse absorbed the lesson and added to it a new language of color" Peter Plagen. 6. To receive (an impulse) without echo or recoil: a fabric that absorbs sound; a bumper that absorbs impact. 7. To assume or pay for (a cost or costs). 8. To endure; accommodate: couldn't absorb the additional hardships. 9. To use up; consume: The project has absorbed all of our department's resources.
[Middle English, to swallow up, from Old French absorber, from Latin absorb re : ab-, away; see ab-1 + sorb re, to suck.]
ab·sorb a·bil i·ty n. ab·sorb a·ble adj. ab·sorb ed·ly adv. ab·sorb er n. ab·sorb ing·ly adv. |
absorb Verb 1. to soak up a liquid 2. to engage the interest of someone 3. to receive the force of an impact 4. Physics to take in radiant energy and retain it 5. to take in or incorporate: this country has absorbed almost one million refugees [Latin absorbere to suck] absorbent adj absorbing adj
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Verb | 1. | absorb - become imbued; "The liquids, light, and gases absorb"chemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions sorb, take up - take up a liquid or a gas either by adsorption or by absorption | | 2. | absorb - take up mentally; "he absorbed the knowledge or beliefs of his tribe"larn, learn, acquire - gain knowledge or skills; "She learned dancing from her sister"; "I learned Sanskrit"; "Children acquire language at an amazing rate" imbibe - receive into the mind and retain; "Imbibe ethical principles" | | 3. | absorb - take up, as of debts or payments; "absorb the costs for something"fund - furnish money for; "The government funds basic research in many areas" | | 4. | absorb - take in, also metaphorically; "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words"mop, mop up, wipe up - to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop; "Mop the hallway now"; "He mopped her forehead with a towel" blot - dry (ink) with blotting paper sponge up - absorb as if with a sponge; "sponge up the spilled milk on the counter" | | 5. | absorb - cause to become one with; "The sales tax is absorbed into the state income tax"coalesce, conflate, fuse, immix, mix, merge, commingle, blend, meld, flux, combine - mix together different elements; "The colors blend well" | | 6. | absorb - suck or take up or in; "A black star absorbs all matter"suck in, suck - attract by using an inexorable force, inducement, etc.; "The current boom in the economy sucked many workers in from abroad" give out, emit, give off - give off, send forth, or discharge; as of light, heat, or radiation, vapor, etc.; "The ozone layer blocks some harmful rays which the sun emits" | | 7. | absorb - devote (oneself) fully to; "He immersed himself into his studies"immerse, plunge - cause to be immersed; "The professor plunged his students into the study of the Italian text" drink in, drink - be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to; "The mother drinks in every word of her son on the stage" | | 8. | absorb - assimilate or take in; "The immigrants were quickly absorbed into society"receive, take in, invite - express willingness to have in one's home or environs; "The community warmly received the refugees" | | 9. | absorb - consume all of one's attention or time; "Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely"involve - occupy or engage the interest of; "His story completely involved me during the entire afternoon" consume - engage fully; "The effort to pass the exam consumed all his energy" rivet - hold (someone's attention); "The discovery of the skull riveted the paleontologists" interest - excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of |
absorb verb 2. engross, hold, involve, fill, arrest, fix, occupy, engage, fascinate, preoccupy, engulf, fill up, immerse, rivet, captivate, monopolize, enwrap
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