ABSORBING
absorbing, engrossing, fascinating, gripping, riveting
(adjective) capable of arousing and holding the attention; “a fascinating story”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
absorbing (comparative more absorbing, superlative most absorbing)
Engrossing, that sustains someone's interest. [First attested in the mid 18th century.]
(statistics, of a state) Allowing a process to enter it, but not to leave it.
Synonyms
• engrossing
• fascinating
• See also exciting
Verb
absorbing
present participle of absorb
Source: Wiktionary
Ab*sorb"ing, a.
Definition: Swallowing, engrossing; as, an absorbing pursuit.
– Ab*sorb"ing, adv.
ABSORB
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