


 (əb-zôrb′, -sôrb′)
tr.v. ab·sorbed, ab·sorb·ing, ab·sorbs
1. To take (something) in through or as through pores or interstices.
a. To occupy the attention, interest, or time of; engross: The problem completely absorbed her. See Synonyms at engross.
b. To take up or occupy (one's time or interest, for example).
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 absorbēre : ab-, away; see ab-1 + sorbēre, 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.


  1. Absorbed them [the influences of women around whom author grew up] as I would chloroform on a cloth laid against my face —Vivian Gornick
  2. Absorbent as a sponge —Anon
  3. Absorbent as blotting paper —Anon
  4. Absorbent as cereal soaking up cream —Anon
  5. It [a huge Christmas tree] soaked up baubles and tinsel like melting snow —Truman Capote
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References in periodicals archive ?
Predictably, the technical improvements in stent design, including retrievability and absorbability, would result in airway stent placement expanding in its indications in benign diseases.
The large share of topical treatments--the most common --is attributed to the high absorbability and noninvasive nature of these treatments, which are the highest impact rendering drivers of this market.
Essentially, the testing attempted to obtain information on the absorbability of the shock wave energy by the absorbers tested using a measurable parameter.
Consumers love highly transparent sunscreens, light-diffracting cosmetics, and moisturizers with enhanced absorbability.
The proprietary fiber complex is blended with ginger and a French grape seed extract called VX1 that is standardized to contain only low molecular weight polyphenols for 100% absorbability.
To determine their water absorbability, the cylindrical-shaped scaffolds (7 mm diameter X 4 mm thickness) were immersed in distilled water at 37[degrees]C, removed at various time intervals over a period of 2 h, patted dry with a lint-free cloth, and the increase in weight due to water absorption measured by weighing.
Silk protein micropowders for coating with excellent feeling, antistaticity and moisture absorbability and releasability and there manufacture.
Building contracts are continuous and repeated purchases of surgical stitching - in the medium term absorbable braided thread of PGLA - needleless slips, strength 50% 14-21 days, 60-120 days absorbability.
The better absorbability and more uniform particle size could be obtained.
The porosity and absorbability of two utilized papers were compared through the following method: One piece of each paper with a certain nominal volume was weighed accurately and then soaked in the dye solution.
The omega-3 dosage was below "maintenance" by most standards with low DHA percentages, and the omega form (ethyl ester) has lower absorbability and bioavailability