[ab.sorb] vt [MF absorber, fr. L absorbere, fr. ab- + sorbere to suck up; akin to Lith surbti to sip, Gk rophein to gulp down] (15c) 1: to take in and make part of an existent whole "the capacity of China to ~ invaders"
2. a: to suck up or take up "a sponge ~s water" "charcoal ~s gas" "plant roots ~ water" b: to take in: acquire, learn "convictions ~ed in youth --M. R. Cohen" c: use up, consume "the fever ~ed her strength"
3: to engage or engross wholly "~ed in thought"
4. a (1): to receive without recoil or echo "provided with a sound-absorbing surface" (2): endure, sustain "~ing hardships" (3): assume, bear "the expenses were ~ed by the company" b: to transform (radiant energy) into a different form usu. with a resulting rise in temperature "the earth ~s the sun's rays" -- ab.sorb.abil.i.ty n -- ab.sorb.able adj -- ab.sorb.er n