English

absorb

Meaning
Synonyms
Translations
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  1. (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.
  2. (obsolete, transitive) To engulf, as in water; to swallow up.
  3. (transitive) To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe, like a sponge or as the lacteals of the body; to chemically take in.
  4. (intransitive) To be absorbed, or sucked in; to sink in.
  5. (transitive) To take in energy and convert it.
  6. (transitive) To take in energy and convert it.
  7. (transitive) To take in energy and convert it.
  8. (transitive) To take in energy and convert it.
  9. (transitive) To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully.
  10. (transitive) To occupy or consume time.
  11. (transitive) To assimilate mentally.
  12. (transitive) To assume or pay for as part of a commercial transaction.
  13. (transitive) To defray the costs.
  14. (transitive) To accept or purchase in quantity.

Frequency

C2
Pronounced as (IPA)
/əbˈzɔːb/
Etymology

Cognate with French
French
absorber
In summary

From Middle French absorber, from Old French assorbir, from Latin absorbeō (“swallow up”), from ab- (“from”) + sorbeō (“suck in, swallow”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *srebʰ- (“to sip”). Compare French absorber.

Related words
absorbing absorbed penetrate absorption accumulate compensate comprehend

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