Definition of: absorb

(ab·sôrb′, -zôrb′) v.t.
1. To drink in or suck up, as through or into pores: A sponge absorbs water.
2. To engross completely; occupy wholly: Study absorbs me.
3. Physics, Chem. To take up or in by chemical or molecular action, as gases, heat, liquid, light, etc.: distinguished from adsorb.
4. To assimilate, as in the processes of nutrition and growth.
5. To take in and incorporate so as to swallow up identity or individuality: The city absorbs the suburbs.
6. To receive the force or action of; intercept: A spring absorbs a jar or jolt.
7. To take up entirely by purchase or use, as an issue of bonds or the output of a factory. [<L absorbere <ab- from + sorbere suck in]
—ab·sorb′a·bil′i·ty noun
—ab·sorb′a·ble adjective
—ab·sorb′ing adjective
—ab·sorb′ing·ly adverb Synonyms: consume, engross, exhaust, imbibe, swallow. A fluid that is absorbed is taken up into the mass of the absorbing body, with which it may or may not permanently combine. A substance is consumed which is appropriated by some other substance, being, or agency, so that it ceases to exist or to be recognized as existing in its original condition; fuel is consumed in the fire, food in the body; consume also means to buy and use up, as an individual or the public consumes coal. A great talker engrosses the listeners. A credulous person swallows the most preposterous statement. A busy student is absorbed in a subject that takes his whole attention. Antonyms: disgorge, disperse, dissipate, distract, eject, emit, exude, radiate.