Etymology: (1480–90; < L absorbēre=ab-ab - +sorbēre to suck in, swallow)
Definition of 'absorb'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (verb)absorb become imbued "The liquids, light, and gases absorb"
2. (verb)absorb, assimilate, ingest, take in take up mentally "he absorbed the knowledge or beliefs of his tribe"
3. (verb)absorb, take over take up, as of debts or payments "absorb the costs for something"
4. (verb)absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck up, draw, take in, take up take in, also metaphorically "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words"
5. (verb)absorb cause to become one with "The sales tax is absorbed into the state income tax"
6. (verb)absorb, take in suck or take up or in "A black star absorbs all matter"
7. (verb)steep, immerse, engulf, plunge, engross, absorb, soak up devote (oneself) fully to "He immersed himself into his studies"
8. (verb)absorb assimilate or take in "The immigrants were quickly absorbed into society"
9. (verb)absorb, engross, engage, occupy consume all of one's attention or time "Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely"
1. (verb)absorb to take in a liquid a material which absorbs water
2. absorb to understand and remember to absorb large amounts of information
3. absorb absorbed in giving all your attention to completely absorbed in his book
Definition of 'absorb'
Webster Dictionary
1. (verb)absorb to swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up; to include
2. (verb)absorb to suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals of the body
3. (verb)absorb to engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed in study or the pursuit of wealth
4. (verb)absorb 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