ABSORB

absorb

(verb) cause to become one with; “The sales tax is absorbed into the state income tax”

absorb, engross, engage, occupy

(verb) consume all of one’s attention or time; “Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely”

steep, immerse, engulf, plunge, engross, absorb, soak up

(verb) devote (oneself) fully to; “He immersed himself into his studies”

absorb, assimilate, ingest, take in

(verb) take up mentally; “he absorbed the knowledge or beliefs of his tribe”

absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck up, draw, take in, take up

(verb) take in, also metaphorically; “The sponge absorbs water well”; “She drew strength from the minister’s words”

absorb

(verb) become imbued; “The liquids, light, and gases absorb”

absorb, take over

(verb) take up, as of debts or payments; “absorb the costs for something”

absorb, take in

(verb) suck or take up or in; “A black star absorbs all matter”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Verb

absorb (third-person singular simple present absorbs, present participle absorbing, simple past and past participle (archaic) absorpt or absorbed)

(transitive) To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to incorporate; to assimilate; to take in and use up. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

(transitive, obsolete) To engulf, as in water; to swallow up. [Attested from the late 15^th century until the late 18^th century.]

(transitive) To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe, like a sponge or as the lacteals of the body; to chemically take in. [First attested in the early 17^th century.]

(transitive, physics, chemistry) To take in energy and convert it, as[First attested in the early 18^th century.]

(transitive, physics) in receiving a physical impact or vibration without recoil.

(transitive, physics) in receiving sound energy without repercussion or echo.

(transitive, physics) taking in radiant energy and converting it to a different form of energy, like heat.

(transitive) To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully[First attested in the late 18^th century.]

(transitive) To occupy or consume time. [First attested in the mid 19^th century.]

(transitive) Assimilate mentally. [First attested in the late 19^th century.]

(transitive, business) To assume or pay for as part of a commercial transaction.

(transitive) To defray the costs.

(transitive) To accept or purchase in quantity.

Synonyms

• (to include so that it no longer has separate existence): assimilate, engulf, incorporate, swallow up, overwhelm

• (to suck up or drink in): draw, drink in, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck, suck up, steep, take in, take up

• (to consume completely): use up

• (to occupy fully): engage, engross, immerse, monopolize, occupy

• (finance: to assume or pay for): assume, bear, pay for

to take in

Antonyms

• (physics: to take up by chemical or physical action): emit

Anagrams

• bobars, robabs

Source: Wiktionary

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Ab*sorb", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Absorbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Absorbing.] Etym: [L. absorbere; ab + sorbere to suck in, akin to Gr. absorber.]

1. To swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up; to include. "Dark oblivion soon absorbs them all." Cowper. The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion. W. Irving.

2. To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals of the body. Bacon.

3. To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed in study or the pursuit of wealth.

4. To take up by cohesive, chemical, or any molecular action, as when charcoal absorbs gases. So heat, light, and electricity are absorbed or taken up in the substances into which they pass. Nichol. p. 8

Syn.

– To Absorb, Engross, Swallow up, Engulf. These words agree in one general idea, that of completely taking up. They are chiefly used in a figurative sense and may be distinguished by a reference to their etymology. We speak of a person as absorbed (lit., drawn in, swallowed up) in study or some other employment of the highest interest. We speak of a person as ebgrossed (lit., seized upon in the gross, or wholly) by something which occupies his whole time and thoughts, as the acquisition of wealth, or the attainment of honor. We speak of a person (under a stronger image) as swallowed up and lost in that which completely occupies his thoughts and feelings, as in grief at the death of a friend, or in the multiplied cares of life. We speak of a person as engulfed in that which (like a gulf) takes in all his hopes and interests; as, engulfed in misery, ruin, etc. That grave question which had begun to absorb the Christian mind -- the marriage of the clergy. Milman. Too long hath love engrossed Britannia's stage, And sunk to softness all our tragic rage. Tickell. Should not the sad occasion swallow up My other cares Addison. And in destruction's river Engulf and swallow those. Sir P. Sidney.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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