Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
absorb — 1 Absorb, imbibe, assimilate can all mean to take (something) in so as to become imbued with it or to make it a part of one’s being. The original meaning of absorb, to swallow up (both literally and figuratively), has been retained in spite of… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
absorb — ab‧sorb [əbˈsɔːb, əbˈzɔːb ǁ ɔːrb] verb [transitive] COMMERCE 1. if a large organization absorbs a smaller one, it takes control of it and makes it part of the organization: • The company was absorbed by IBM in 1995. absorb into • Several smaller… … Financial and business terms
Absorb — Ab*sorb , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absorbed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Absorbing}.] [L. absorbere; ab + sorbere to suck in, akin to Gr. ?: cf. F. absorber.] 1. To swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
absorb — ab·sorb vt 1: to make (a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution) applicable to the states 2 a: to bear or assume the burden of expenses were absorb ed by the company b: to lessen the tax liability for has other losses to absorb the income D. Q … Law dictionary
absorb — [v1] physically take in a liquid blot, consume, devour, drink in, imbibe, ingest, ingurgitate, osmose, soak up, sop up*, sponge up*, suck in*, swallow, take in; concept 256 Ant. disperse, dissipate, eject, emit, exude, spew, vomit absorb [v2]… … New thesaurus
absorb — (v.) early 15c., from M.Fr. absorber (O.Fr. assorbir, 13c.), from L. absorbere to swallow up, from ab from (see AB (Cf. ab )) + sorbere suck in, from PIE root *srebh to suck, absorb (Cf. Armenian arbi I drank, Gk … Etymology dictionary
absorb — ► VERB 1) soak up (liquid or another substance). 2) take in (information). 3) assimilate or take over (something less powerful). 4) use up (time or resources). 5) reduce the effect or intensity of (sound or an impact). 6) (usu. as absorbed or … English terms dictionary
absorb — [ab sôrb′, abzôrb′; əbsôrb′] vt. [L absorbere < ab , from + sorbere, to suck in: see SLURP] 1. to suck up [blotting paper absorbs ink] 2. to take up the full attention or energy of; engross 3. to take in and incorporate; assimilate 4. to… … English World dictionary
absorb */*/ — UK [əbˈzɔː(r)b] / US [əbˈsɔrb] / US [əbˈzɔrb] verb [transitive] Word forms absorb : present tense I/you/we/they absorb he/she/it absorbs present participle absorbing past tense absorbed past participle absorbed 1) a) to take in a gas, liquid, or… … English dictionary
absorb — 01. Children are like little sponges that seem to be able to [absorb] languages very quickly. 02. The course I took was very intensive, and I had a lot of information to [absorb] in a short time. 03. These diapers are very [absorbent], so your… … Grammatical examples in English
absorb — [[t]əbzɔ͟ː(r)b[/t]] absorbs, absorbing, absorbed 1) VERB If something absorbs a liquid, gas, or other substance, it soaks it up or takes it in. [V n] Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and moisture from the soil... [be V ed into n] Refined … English dictionary
